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A SINNER IN ORDERS 



EDWARD ANSLEY STOKES. 



Press of 

The Unionist-Gazette Association, 
Somerville, N. J. 


Copyright 1895 by 
EDWARD ANSLEY STOKES. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


CHAPTER I. 

A Dangerous Meeting and what Came of It. 

The day had been a most pleasant 
one, and in New York City the crowded 
thoroughfares presented a cheerful, 
happy look. The summer had been 
very trying, the burning suns of August 
had shone down with ceaseless glare, 
making the air hot and oppressive. 
But now the September breezes had 
fanned the weary, the pale cheeks of 
enforced stayers in town, bringing 
fresh life and renewed energy to the 
toiler. 

Mildred Ellerton and her mother had 
returned to town unusually early. It 
had been their custom to close their 
sumptuous home in the city early in 
J une and make the round of the fash- 
ionable summer resorts, returning when 


4 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


the maple leaves in Central Park were 
all aflush with autumnal glory. 

This season, however, Mildred Eller- 
ton took it into her pretty brown head 
that she must return to town, and in 
spite of the protestations of her mother, 
Miss Ellerton had her way (as she usu- 
ally did, by the way). Fortunately, the 
weather was delightfully cool on the 
morning they drove from the station to 
the house. 

“ It was really too cool in the moun- 
tains ; now confess, mother, is not the 
weather here altogether charming?” 

“ But, my dear, think how dull it will 
be, not a house open in the block,” ex- 
claims the elder woman as she gazes 
out upon the row of handsome homes 
whose blinds all so carefully drawn tell 
plainly “ out of town.” 

“ It is positively out of all reason,” 
she goes on ; “ why, we could have 
stopped in the Berkshires, or even at 
Cornwalls, but to come in town now, 
just at this time, there is no manner of 
reason in it.” 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


5 


“ Mother, I told you when I first 
spoke of returning you need not come 
with me. I grew so tired of the cease- 
less gayety and I longed for some quiet ; 
you insisted upon accompanying me, so 
really you have no one to blame but 
yourself.” There were unpleasant lines 
about the mobile mouth as she spoke 
which marred the beauty’s reputation 
for amiability. 

Mrs. Ellerton sank back in the seat of 
her carriage resignedly. Her daughter 
generally did as she pleased, and this 
caprice of returning to town showed 
how well she carried her point. 

When six years ago Maxwell Eller- 
ton died, leaving his wife and only child 
in affluence, Mildred was just ripening 
into womanhood, giving promise of the 
rare beauty that was to come to her. 

Now, at twenty-six, that promise had 
been richly fulfilled, and she bore the 
honors of an attractive beauty, with 
conscious though self-contained dignity. 

Mrs. Ellerton, alwa3^s of a yield- 
ing nature, gave way to her daugh- 


6 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

ter’s foibles and fancies, as we have 
seen. 

No more words passed between them 
until their home was reached. A tele- 
gram the day before apprising the corps 
of servants of their mistress’s return, 
had filled them with consternation. 
With desperate energy they endeavored 
to reduce order out of chaos, for, like 
many other so-called faithfuls, they, too, 
had taken their outings, and neglect of 
duties followed as a consequence. 

Some hours later, after luncheon had 
been served, we find Miss Ellerton in 
her boudoir , she having given orders 
that she is not to be disturbed. 

The room is well worthy of such a 
beauty ; it is fitted up most luxuriously 
in oriental fashion, the colors blending 
in rare harmony of delicate tints. Fair, 
very fair, Mildred Ellerton looks as she 
sits half reclining on a couch ; she has 
donned an exquisite gown which be- 
comes rarely well her rich, dark beauty ; 
her eyes are hazel and her complexion 
like the heart of a rose, and as she rests 


A SINNER in orders. 


7 


amid the many pillows, a perfect picture 
she makes. But of this she is unmind- 
ful, which gives the added charm of 
unconsciousness. In one hand she holds 
a letter which she eagerly peruses ; in 
the other (pray do not tell it) a cigarette, 
from which a tiny stream of smoke as- 
cends, giving an aroma suggestive of 
the Egyptians. 

“Foolish fellow,” she murmurs, “to 
return so soon from such a distance, 
and all for me.” She laughs low and 
musically, revealing her perfect teeth. 
Slowly she ejects a puff of smoke. “ To- 
night I shall see him, oh, what a time 
since he went away ! ” 

Once more her eyes scan the letter 
and read: 

“ I can endure it no longer, I must see 
you. In vain I attend theatres and en- 
gage in other pastimes , but it is of no use. 
I make excuses to Maude as best I may. A 
propitious fate , however , shines for me ; a 
letter came from Dudley , my broker , call- 
ing me home. How I blessed Dudley. I 
persuaded Maude after a great deal of 


8 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


finesse, to join her mother and father in 
Switzerland. So just think , my dear 
one, I will be with you almost as soon as 
this reaches you . 

‘ Though all too sure that thy sweet face 

Can bless no glance of mine, 

At every turn in every place, 

My eyes are seekmg thine.' 

Ihine only, HAROLD 

That was all, no other name, but it 
was quite enough. 

Mildred arranges a pillow more com- 
fortably, reaches out her hand for the 
Herald near, and eagerly scans the ship- 
ping news. 

“Incoming steamers — City of Paris, 
from Queenstown, arrived at 10:20 
A. M.” 

The paper drops from her hand un- 
heeded on the floor. Now that she 
knows that he is here she must pre- 
pare herself. 

“ Foolish fellow,” she repeats, “ one 
would think plenty of money and 
a wife, even if she be plain, would sat- 
isfy one, but not so Harold. Well, he 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


9 


must needs have money, and now he 
has, and a wife, too.” 

Again the low musical laugh. 

In a few moments she rises quickly, 
strikes a match and holds it to the let- 
ter. The flame spreads, and soon noth- 
ing but a tiny spark of ashes on the 
hearth tells of the amorous epistle. 

“This can tell no tales,” she says 
softly ; “ how much a foolish woman 
could save in this world were she to 
burn her letters.” 

“ Mother, I found among my letters 
one from Harold Gordon, telling me he 
had been called home on business very 
unexpectedly. Maude does not return, 
but has joined her parents. He writes 
me it is so dull in town,” she goes on 
calmly, “ that he will call. By the 
merest chance he had heard of our re- 
turn to town. I rather expect him this 
evening.” 

Mrs. Ellerton looks across the dinner 
table at her daughter. “His return 
must be unexpected, for they intended 
remaining until late, did they not ? ” 


IO 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“Yes, until near the holidays, I un- 
derstood. It is too bad Maude is not 
accompanying him, I shall miss her so.” 

Mrs. Ellerton felt no surprise at the 
expected visit of Gordon. Mildred had 
known him for some time, and was not 
Maude, his wife, very friendly with 
them? So when Mrs. Ellerton, soon 
after dinner, declared she would retire 
to her room, not having yet gotten over 
the fatigue of the journey, Mildred 
says : 

“ I will tell Harold you are very tired, 
I know he will understand your feel- 
ings.” 

Later, when a servant brings Miss 
Ellerton a card reading, Mr. Harold 
Gordon , it is with a feeling of genuine 
triumph she prepares to go to him, for 
has he not come a great distance ex- 
pressly to see and be near her ? 

“ Is it really you ?” exclaims a voice 
as she enters the room, “ I am more 
than glad to see you, Mildred,” and he 
holds her hands a trifle longer than oc- 
casion demands, gazing into her eyes. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


ii 


“Yes, it is I, my very self,” she says 
smiling, the bright color in her cheeks, 
telling of the consciousness of his ardent 
gaze. 

He draws her to a sofa near. “ Now, 
come tell me the news. How came yon 
to return home so soon, and what did 
your mother say? How is she, quite 
well ? ” 

“ Why, Harold, what a storm of ques- 
tions. Where am I to begin?” Let 
me see,” she casts a coquettish look 
from under her dark lashes. “ I came 
home, well, because I grew tired of the 
gayety at Newport and wanted to get 
away from its crowd. Mother protest- 
ed, of course, but I overruled all objec- 
tions, and here we are.” 

“ I did not dream of such good for- 
tune as finding you in New York at this 
season. Of course, I was going to you 
wherever you were.” He looks at her 
fondly, and she drops her eyelids be- 
comingly. It is a trick of hers, and has 
set more than one heart beating faster. 

“ Dear, do you not think some mys- 


12 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


terious power brought this about ? ” He 
has her hand again, and she allows it 
to lie within his as she replies : 

“ It would seem so, Harold ; but tell 
me, how did you manage to leave 
Maude? Did she not want to return 
with you? I cannot understand her 
stopping behind.” 

Harold Gordon smiles, showing his 
even teeth which his blonde moustache 
is apt to hide. “ She herself proposed 
joining her parents. Think of it ! I of 
course, remonstrated, but finally yield- 
ed,” and he laughs merrily. “Well, it 
turned out to be a blessing in disguise 
—the message to return— and to think,” 
he goes on, “ I found you here on my 
arrival.” 

Any one who could see them here to- 
gether could not help remarking, “ What 
a handsome couple.” She with her 
brilliant dark beauty, a true Southern 
type, and he fair and manly, of hand- 
some physique and courtly manners. 

The fault lay in that they had met 
too late. A few years ago he was a 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


1 3 


poor young man, a struggling broker. 
He met and married a girl several years 
his junior, and then all changed. She 
was very wealthy ; in that lies the tale. 
Harold was tired of the perplexing study 
of how to make both ends meet ; this 
girl was wealthy and the temptation 
was too strong. For a time they lived, 
if not deliriously happy, contented. She 
was not romantic, but loved her hus- 
band, who had moved in a higher cir- 
cle, in his bachelor days than she had 
ever aspired to. She was grateful for 
entre in such society, and freely gave 
him of her means. However, one even- 
ing at a theatre party he met Mildred 
Ellerton and fell madly in love with 
her brilliant beauty. It seemed mutual, 
and had Harold Gordon been still a 
bachelor no doubt it would have ended 
in matrimony. 

A strange fate also attracted Maude 
Gordon to Mildred, and she, little 
dreaming of the state of things, became 
quite friendly with Mrs. Ellerton and 
her daughter. 


14 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


At first, to do Mildred justice, she 
tried to fight against the infatuation, 
hut in the end it proved too strong, and 
at the present time she and Harold each 
knew of the other’s love and realized, 
all too well, its hopelessness. 

Stolen interviews were frequent, but 
always carefully planned so that, so far, 
no trace of suspicion touched them. 

“The sight of your face has made 
me well again ; I was pining for your 
presence. How can I go back again, so 
many, many miles ? ” 

He draws her to him with passionate 
tenderness, and though she replies not 
a word, he instinctively knows her 
heart is full of him. There is silence 
for a moment, and save the quick breath- 
ing of the girl, whose breast rises and 
falls unduly, no sound is heard. Then 
she draws herself away. 

“ Oh, Harold, what is to be the end- 
ing of this ? The end must come ; we 
cannot go on like this forever. I have 
kept putting it off and refused to think 
of the future, I am so happy in the 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


i5 


present. Yes, happy, but equally miser- 
able. I have begun to think we must 
part, but I, somehow, am so weak I can- 
not." 

“ Part ! You say that ? Oh, Mildred, 
I cannot, will not give you up. It was 
my fate to meet you when too late, or 
you would have been mine, mine al- 
ways." He has never once released 
her hands, and now he again draws her 
to him. “ There can be no real happi- 
ness for either of us in this world ; why 
then put aside the brief respite we allow 
each other ? Do not leave me, Mildred ; 
promise you will always love me." 

“Promise! You know well I always 
will, but this life of deception, this liv- 
ing a lie with a smiling face but aching 
heart ! Oh, Harold, how will it all end !" 

“ I will not think of an ending. Live 
in the present ; we will meet as hereto- 
fore, unknown to others. These meet- 
ings are all I have to look forward to, 
they buoy up my hopes and help me to 
live out the long days. Why has the 

omen of ill-fortune shadowed our des- 
2 


16 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

tiny?” he says, looking into her dark 
eyes mournfully. “ I love you, Mildred, 
with as pure and holy a love as God 
ever gave to man. In vain I fought 
against it, I argued with myself : I will 
be true to Maude, I have made her my 
wife ; she loves me therefore I will put 
you out of my heart and mind. But all 
of no use, my good resolves vanish like 
air when in your presence. I cannot, 
cannot give you up !” he continues, 
drawing her almost fiercely to him. 

“ Harold, Harold, be calm,” she says, 
disengaging herself. “ Alas, I, too, am 
weak. No, I cannot help loving you. I 
have tried, but none interest me. All 
men become hateful when they persist 
in their advances. I am called a co- 
quette, a trifler with hearts, but it is all 
the same. I cannot give the reason to 
the world. You know, and you only.” 

And thus they talked on and the good 
intentions which Mildred Ellerton had 
made, to see Gordon, tell him all, to 
agree not to meet as of old, but 
try and live down their love, melted 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


i7 


away under his passionate protesta- 
tions. 

They are not the only two who have 
met too late in their voyage through 
life, who have allowed themselves to 
drift with the current, steadily refusing 
to see the shoals and rocks of fate that 
make shipwrecks of many human lives. 

To the calm, serene reader who has 
sailed through life with never a breath 
of temptation to cross his course, it is 
easy to condemn. But there will be one 
now and then who will know and sym- 
pathize. Love knows no laws, it sur- 
mounts all obstacles, and poet, prince 
and peasant are caught in the dizzy 
whirlpool and hurried precipitately to 
their fate, be it propitious or otherwise. 

“Judge not that ye be not judged.” 


CHAPTER II. 

A not her Meeting and a Discovery . 

“ Well, upon my word, Harold Gor- 
don, who would have thought of seeing 
you in town at this time ? Why, it was 
only a few days ago I read your name 
in Le Beau Monde as having taken apart- 
ments in Rue D’ Anjou at Paris,” and 
the speaker, a fashionably dressed man 
about town, grasps Gordon’s hand 
heartily. 

“ Hello, Dayton, old fellow, is that 
you? Glad to see a familiar face. Yes, 
I landed only two days ago ; important 
business called me back unexpectedly. 
Which way are you going?” 

“ Why, up to the club. Come along ; 
we will dine together and have a social 
ohat.” 

“All right,” responds Gordon, and 
they ascend the steps of an elevated 
station to take a train up town. 


20 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Ashley Dayton could not be called a 
handsome man, he was not of classic 
mould. There were lines of care around 
the eyes, and his dark hair was plenti- 
fully sprinkled with gray. At first ap- 
pearance one would think him a man 
near middle age, but he was really not 
much past thirty. His early years had 
been spent in hard work, but a rich 
aunt of his father, a severe old spinster, 
having very considerately shuffled off 
this mortal coil, Ashley found himself 
possessor of a handsome fortune. Like 
a good many others who had been 
reared in New England, when he found 
himself a rich man, Ashley hied him- 
self to New York, and became a typical 
man about town, a gentleman of leisure. 

Being members of the same club, 
Ashley Dayton and Harold Gordon had 
soon become fast friends. There 
seemed to be a mutual liking one for 
the other, though, strange to say, they 
were totally unlike in many things. 
Perhaps it was the dissimilarity in their 
dispositions which made the attraction, 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


21 


for we often admire qualities in our 
friends which we are conscious we do 
not possess ourselves, or, perhaps, to 
speak more strictly, possess in a less de- 
gree. 

But by this time they have reached 
their club, and, having ordered dinner, 
they settle down for a comfortable talk. 

“You have not told me what kind of 
a time you had abroad, Gordon. Were 
you in London at all? Did you run 
across Charley Miles there ? ” 

“ Yes, my wife and I were in London 
a fortnight. Before we crossed the 
channel Miles called and brought his 
sister. You remember her, the fair- 
haired girl who created the sensation at 
Cannes last winter? Well, we had a 
right comfortable time together. She 
and Maude got on famously. I believe 
she is to join Maude before they re- 
turn;’ 

“You don’t look as bright as usual, 
Gordon. Haven’t gotten over the pangs 
of mal de mer , I fancy,” and Dayton 
looks over at his friend questionably. 


22 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“Yes, I always suffer on an ocean 
trip. It was beastly rough, and I was 
shaken up rather badly. Somehow I 
can’t get used to sea voyages. Why, 
going over I really thought my time 
had come.” 

Dayton noticed the sad expression 
that for some time had shown in Har- 
old’s face. Yes, even now, after an ab- 
sence of some months, the same weary 
look of unhappiness now and then re- 
vealed itself. He had wondered at its 
cause. “ Surely he has no secrets to 
worry him,” he thinks ; “ rich, and a de- 
voted wife, why, what could there be to 
annoy him ? ” 

“ Still a bachelor, I suppose, Ashley, 
eh ? When are you going to join the 
line of Benedicts ? Do you know, you 
are the wonder and speculation of many 
anxious and designing mammas ? ” says 
Gordon, smiling as he scans his friend. 

Dayton takes the chaff good-naturedly 
for some time, but as his companion 
continues to rally him upon some re- 
ports he has heard, he grows serious. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


23 


“ Look here, Harold, a good many- 
like you ask such questions, and I gen- 
erally turn them off with a joke, but 
with you I will be more candid. Either 
I am placing my standard of women too 
high, or I fail to appreciate the goods 
that the gods provide ; but at all events, 
I have found none who interest me 
enough and are worth winning.” 

“ Don't interrupt me, please,” he goes 
on, as Gordon is about to respond ; “ I 
acknowledge I am a peculiar man, 
and maybe have old-fashioned ideas 
about women ; but when I look around 
me at the women of to-day, especially 
in the smart set in which I have the 
honor (and he holds the word a mo- 
ment) of moving, I cannot help but have 
a feeling akin to contempt for most of 
them. Now, I am not a prude, or given 
to lauding my merits, as you well know, 
but I cannot help my feelings, and now 
they are out.” 

Harold had listened in astonishment 
to this speech. Ashley, always quiet 
and unassuming, he who ever moved 


24 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


among his circle with that gentle, high 
bred ease of politeness, speaking so ! 

“ Why, Dayton, where on earth did 
you get such sentiments ? Where have 
you been ? What have you been read- 
ing ? Who is it that has put such ideas 
in your head?” and he regards his 
vis-a-vis with genuine consternation. 

“ Come, Harold, not so loud,” looking 
around, “we will be having an audi- 
ence. Likely I have said too much, but 
an event just experienced has made me 
more bitter, perhaps. Listen, let me 
tell you something. You remember 
my speaking of the Grovesners of Bos- 
ton? Well, they have always been 
friends of mine, and I used to see them 
frequently in the old days. They have 
a daughter just grown to womanhood, 
fair and talented. I have always been 
interested in her. From childhood I 
have admired her sterling qualities. 
Last year she was engaged to marry a 
most excellent fellow, but in rather 
moderate circumstances. He was de- 
serving in every way, and nothing but 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


25 


happiness was anticipated. Well,” and 
Ashley Dayton’s voice grows a trifle 
husky, “only last week she deliber- 
ately threw him over for another, one 
in every way her former fiance s in- 
ferior, and all for money.” For a min- 
ute the man pauses, the excitement has 
lighted up his dark face until he is posi- 
tively handsome. “ Now, do you won- 
der I speak so freely when one of whom 
I expected so much has gone the way 
of the world? ” 

“ By Jove, old fellow, I believe you 
are half right. It was downright con- 
temptible, but, no doubt, she will pay 
the penalty of her misstep. Her eyes 
will be opened when too late.” 

“ I had watched her with almost a 
brother’s interest for years,” Dayton 
goes on. He is calm now, and there is 
a far-away look in his eyes. “She 
always seemed above the frivolities and 
flirtations that make up so many girls’ 
lives. I used to say to myself, there is 
a girl of whom to be proud ; true as 
steel, and with a heart as honest and 


26 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

open as the day. You can, perhaps, 
fancy then the overturning of all my 
ideals, my lack of faith in her sex, at 
-such a denoument.” 

After a moment’s silence Gordon re- 
marks : “ Dayton, I wonder what you 

would think of me were I to make a 
confession ? ” 

“ You ! Why, what have you to con- 
fess?” Still, now that you speak so, I 
am free to say you do not look like a 
happy man. There seems to be some- 
thing on your mind.” 

“ Is it as bad as that ? ” responds Har- 
old, raising his eyes from his plate. 
** Look here, Ashley,” he goes on ear- 
nestly, “ has it ever occurred to you, 
you might be judging this girl friend of 
yours too harshly ? Think of the temp- 
tation offered her, was it not strong? 
From what you have told me, the 
Grovesners are not people of means. 
Confess now, to a girl who is ambitious 
is not the thought of wealth tempting ? 
Perhaps she has noble desires to 
•carry out. With plenty of money she 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


27 


could see her dreams of doing good 
realized.” 

Ashley Dayton looks up in astonish- 
ment at this speech. What can he mean 
by wishing to justify her actions ? He 
is not interested in championing her. 
Why, they have never even met ! All 
at once the truth flashes across Dayton’s 
mind. Gordon’s wife had been rich in 
her own right. He remembers that he, 
Harold, had been without means. He 
had married, without love, for money ! 
Hence this taking up the cause of the 
girl of whom he had spoken. 

It is with rather a cold tone Dayton 
replies. “Well, Gordon, you would be 
the girl’s friend for life were she to 
hear that speech. We each have 
our own views. Your confession you 
had better reserve for some future oc- 
casion, later you might regret the confi- 
dence. There are some things best 
kept in one’s heart.” 

Harold puts out his hand. “ Dayton, 
I surmise you have discovered some- 
thing of my secret, sometime I may 


28 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


make a confidante of you, for I feel the 
need very much, and there are none 
whom I would trust as you." 

“You will always find me a true 
friend, Harold. Experience has, per- 
haps, taught me more than you. There 
are times when one needs a friend’s 
service. When you need one come to 
me.” 

The arrival of some others puts an 
end to all confidential talk, but later, 
when Harold Gordon parts from Ash- 
ley Dayton, it is with an extra hand 
clasp he says, 

“Remember, I shall always be glad 
to see you. Drop in the office very soon 
and we will have another dinner at the 
club.” 


CHAPTER III. 

A Clergyman s Home and a Step in Temp- 
tation . 

It is a beautiful autumn morning, the 
sky is cloudless, there being that de- 
licious freshness in the air which makes 
all things bright and cheerful. There was 
a rain last night. It has left the streets 
clean, and the green trees seen from 
the rectory are shining and stand out 
clear cut in the pure atmosphere. 

“A beautiful morning, indeed/' mur- 
murs the Rev. Charles Summers, half to 
himself. 

He stands at the window in his study 
looking out on smiling Nature, and ab- 
sently strokes the ears of a dainty grey- 
hound, which is on a chair at his side. 
He is a man comely to look upon. Tall 
and graceful, with dark hair and eyes, 
and an earnest, thoughtful expression. 
His face is clean shaven, so the clear 


3 ° 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


cut features and firm mouth are not 
hidden. He is not more than two and 
thirty, and at that age to have such an 
important charge, speaks well for him. 

When the Rev. Charles Summers re- 
ceived the call to the Episcopal Church 
in the most exclusive part of the city, 
he was indeed filled with a gratified 
surprise. They had long wanted a 
younger man, so when the Rev. Morgan 
Hicks, a very old gentleman, decided to 
retire from active duty, Charles Sum- 
mers, the rising young divine, received 
the call. At first the older heads were 
dubious, and the aristocrats inclined to 
criticise, but it was not long before the 
earnest young clergyman won his way 
into the hearts of even the crusty old 
millionaires, and those who had at first 
predicted failure were now his stanch- 
est followers. With the young element, 
too, he became very popular, and maid- 
ens beamed sweetly and longed to bask 
under the genial glance of their bach- 
elor rector. 

By this time he has left the window 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


3 1 


and is seated at his desk. He glances over 
a list of parishioners he must visit to-day. 

“ That will take up most of the after- 
noon, and I must not forget my errand 
at the Mission/’ For a moment he 
seems lost in thought, and glances ab- 
sently around the comfortably furnished 
study. 

It is a cosy little spot, and shows that 
the dexterous hand of a woman has 
superintended. Miss Ellen Summers, 
his only sister, a spinster, keeps house 
for him, and by her gentle ways and 
kindly presence gives the lie to being 
one of the old maid type. Miss Ellen 
has unbounded admiration for her 
brother’s talents, and woe betide the un- 
fortunate one who speaks ill of him ; 
while, on the other hand, he who praises 
the rector’s name wins from her a feel- 
ing of the utmost good will. She is quite 
petite , and the black hair, just turning 
gray, adds a quaint look to the well 
preserved complexion. 

A tap on the door arouses the dreamer 

from his reverie. 

3 


32 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“ Come in. Oh, it is you, Ellen.” 

“Yes, here is the mail, and a goodly 
pile of letters you will find to read. Are 
you to be home to luncheon, Charles, or 
has your old sister to sit through the 
meal alone again ? ” She goes to him as 
she speaks and lays her hand on his 
shoulder. 

“ It is too bad, Ellen, I have to leave 
you alone so much, but you know what 
a clergyman’s duties are, my dear, and 
this charge is not an easy one. True, I 
have been treated with the kindest con- 
sideration. I have been very much 
blessed to get such a call.” 

“ But you have not answered my ques- 
tion, shall you return to luncheon?” 
asks Miss Summers. 

“Yes, I shall be back to-day. Now 
run away and let me get through this 
pile of mail, that’s a good sister.” 

She bends down and lightly kisses his 
forehead, and leaves him to himself. 

“The dear girl, what a patient little 
creature she is ! ” and a vision of his 
sainted mother rises before him. “ So 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


33 


like her, and she is all I have left now.” 

But the Reverend Charles Summers 
is soon deep in his mail, as he hurriedly 
passes it over. Letters of all kinds, some 
“begging charity, notice of meetings, 
committees, but finally one in particular 
arrests his attention. It is a dainty note, 
and reads : 

“ Dear Mr. Summers : 

“ Will you kindly call to-morrow evening, 
if possible , as I have some matters of im- 
portance concerning the St. Agnes Guild to 
communicate. The work seems to have 
been neglected somewhat this past summer, 
owing, of course, to so many workers being 
away. I want to suggest a plan to add 
interest to the Guild. Trusting, therefore, 
I shall see you to-morrow evening, I remain, 
yours very truly, 

“ Mildred Eller ton! 

“ Let me see, that is to-night. I must 
drop in at the Choral Society, after that 
I fancy I can manage it,” and the young 
divine allows his thoughts to wander 
to his beautiful correspondent. 

Charles Summers is not an impres- 


34 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


sionable man, at least, so think the fair 
ones under his charge. The maidens 
have smiled their sweetest, and the ma- 
trons have done their share to command 
his attention, but it has had no marked 
effect. He is always kind, always cour- 
teous, but has showed no perceptible 
“ goneness ” for any particular one. 

The Ellertons are devout Episcopal- 
ians, and their name is ever among the 
first on the charitable lists. True they 
are members of a gay, fashionable set, 
and, perhaps, a little risque at times, but 
do they not vigorously observe the 
Lenten season, and abstain from meat 
on fast days ? Of course, some jealous 
of their position in society, had said they 
“were of the world, worldly,” and 
hinted at some indiscretion, but one ex- 
pects that of others nowadays. And are 
not their families irreproachable ? 

When Charles Summers had met Mil- 
dred Ellerton he had thought her the 
most beautiful woman he had ever seen, 
and then her charm of manner, her 
brilliant mind had impressed him as 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


35 


no other woman had. So it is with a 
feeling of glad anticipation he dons his 
hat and gloves and goes out into the 
street. 

All day long his bright cheery face 
brings hope and encouragement where- 
ever he goes. A poor widow to whom 
he had been most kind says with tears 
in her eyes : 

“ O Mr. Summers the sight of your 
cheerful face and the comforting words 
you have said have made me better. I 
was feeling so disconsolate, my boy out 
of work, and I laid up with this rheu- 
matism, I thought there was no use of 
struggling against fate any more, but 
your kindness has given me new life. I 
believe the Lord will provide.” 

Just then the latch string is raised, 
and a boy whose face beams with 
eagerness hurries in. 

“ Mother, good news, I have found 
work, even a better job than I had be- 
fore.” 

And as the rector takes his leave his 
eyes are moist at their happiness. 


36 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


At luncheon Miss Ellen is perfectly 
happy, her brother praises everything.. 
The salad is just to his taste, and the tea 
has just the right flavor. 

“ What would you say Ellen if I were 
to suggest a holiday to-morrow ? I be- 
lieve we are growing a little rusty for 
an outing.” 

“ Charles, how delightful it would be,, 
it has been a long time since you have 
allowed yourself one. But are you quite 
sure you can arrange it ?” she asks, look- 
ing up at him a little eagerly. 

“ Quite sure Ellen, I have thought of 
it all day. We will have a genuine 
good time, so be ready to start early. 
Oh, by the way, Ellen,” he says later as. 
he goes into his study, “ if I am not in 
early this evening, do not mind, I may 
be detained.” 

“All right, I will not be uneasy,” she 

says as he leaves her. 

* * * 

“ I am very glad to see you home 
again, Miss Ellerton. Have you had a 
pleasant summer?” Mr. Summer re- 
marks. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


37 


A moment ago when she had entered 
the room and greeted him so cordially, 
he had replied in the above words. 

“ Yes,” she responds,” I had a very 
pleasant time. We were in the White 
Mountains and at Bar Harbor, and lastly 
at Newport, but a longing for home 
came over, and although it was early to 
return, we decided and came.” 

If the Rector had before thought her 
a beautiful woman, to-night he finds her 
beauty enhanced, more brilliant than 
ever. Her dark hair and eyes, and del- 
icate complexion are set off by a cream 
white gown, whose graceful folds and 
silken girdle gives her the charm of 
some Egyptian princess. 

The dress is cut quite low, showing 
the white neck, and as the drooping 
sleeves fall back, arms of exquisite lov- 
liness reveal themselves. She wears no 
jewels, save a ring or two, and it is 
the simplicity that makes Mildred Eller- 
ton’s appearance so extremely lovely. 

For a while they talked of the object 
of his call. She proposed a plan to renew 


38 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


the flagging interest of the cause, and 
he entered zealously into the new idea. 
All of the time he is thinking of her 
beauty, and her charming cordiality of 
manner. To-night there seems a look 
of unhappiness at times in her face. It 
is only fleeting, however, but he is keen 
to note every expression, and of this he 
feels certain. He finds himself pos- 
sessed of a strong desire to know the 
cause. N ever had a woman so fascinated 
him. Could he win her confidence? 
All these thoughts and more flash 
through his mind as they sat there ar- 
ranging their plans. 

He feels a growing interest in all she 
says. He loves her ! The thought comes 
to him so suddenly that he impulsively 
half arises as if to speak, but checks him- 
self and goes to the piano under the 
pretense of looking over some music. 

“There are some new songs here I 
have never heard,” he tells her. “Will 
you not favor me ? You know how fond 
I am of music.” 

“ Music and I have not been very con- 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


39 


stant friends lately,” she replied, “but I 
will do my best,” and rising, she goes to 
the piano and selects a quaint old Ger- 
man song. 

He stands at her side drinking in the 
rich, mellow voice. How close she is to 
him. As he bends to follow the music 
their faces almost touch. His hand 
trembles with the intoxication of the 
moment. Sweeter the voice sounds, and 
his eyes follow the gentle heaving 
breast, so white. Then the song stops, 
her voice has died away in a sweet, 
plaintive strain. 

“ How beautiful the theme is,” she 
says, “the German songs are always 
full of melody.” 

He cannot find words, none are at his 
command. The knowledge that he 
loves her has so irresistibly filled him, 
there is no room for anything common- 
place. 

Mildred had felt intuitively that he 
was gazing down upon her with a feel- 
ing far removed from mere friendliness. 
She noticed his hand trembled slightly 


4 o 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


as lie turned the music. She heard his 
quick breathing, and knew of a truth 
that he loved her. No girl is averse to 
admiration, and this one was no excep- 
tion, but she feared matters might come 
to a crisis, and to avoid this she adroitly 
turns the tide of events. 

“Here is a bright little waltz, and 
very pretty, too !” and she leans over 
and selects the music, then plays it 
through with a dash and finish. 

Her listener has regained his natural 
calmness and entreats her for more. So 
she plays on, doing her best, but all the 
while a feeling of resentment has pos- 
session of her. If he knew another 
filled her heart completely and whom it 
was, he would leave her side in conster- 
nation. She must, therefore, school 
herself, avoid a declaration if possible,, 
and if the climax come, extend the 
hand of friendship, truthfully confess, 
no love for him, but a feeling of sincere 
respect. 

“ It is my fate,” she thinks, bitterly,. 
“ to win hearts I do not want, and then 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


4i 


because I cannot explain, be called a 
coquette and heartless.” 

But the entrance of Mrs. Ellerton, 
who has decided to come down, inter- 
rupts the unspoken thoughts of each,, 
and so no opportunity occurs for the 
Rev. Charles Summers to engage in 
sentiment. 

“ My dear,” says Mrs. Ellerton, after 
the visitor’s departure, “ Mr. Summers 
is a most brilliant man, and very hand- 
some, do you not think ? He admires 
you, any one can see it with half an eye, 
it is likely — ” 

“ Mother, how can you go on so,” 
interrupts Mildred, pettishly, “ it is ab- 
surd. Mr. Summers is very pleasant to 
me, but it is certainly not love. At all 
events, I am not in love with him, and 
perhaps I would have something to 
say,” and the daughter turns impa- 
tiently away, angry that another has 
seen what she knows so well. 

“ Eunice,” she says to her maid, who 
is busy brushing her dark hair, “I 
want you, yourself to mail this letter,” 


42 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


holding it up, “ the first thing in the 
morning.’’ 

“ Certainly, Miss Ellerton,” says 
Eunice, and as she takes the missive 
from her mistress the address is seen to 
read Mr. Harold Gordon. 


CHAPTER IV. 

A Husband' s Revenge, and“ A Night of It” 

The first letter that Harold Gordon 
finds one morning when looking over 
his mail, is the one from his wife, read- 
ing thus : 

“ My Dear Husband : You will be very 
much surprised at the news I write. We 
have suddenly made up our minds to return 
home. Father and mother have not been 
very well , and when they asked me if I 
would rather return to New York this 
month instead of waiting until next , I said 
very quickly , ‘ yes indeed .' So it has all been 
arranged , we will sail SaUirday the 20 th, 
on the S. S. Campania , of the Cunard 
Line. I shall be so glad to see you again 
and although but a few weeks have passed 
since we parted, it seems months to me.” 

Harold stops reading, a pang of re- 
morse comes over him. “ How little I 
deserve her love,” he thinks. “ What a 


44 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


brute I am to act so. But God help me, 
I cannot help it ! Try as I may, I do not 
love her, it is the truth.” 

He resumes the letter, it is full of 
love for him. She loves him devotedly 
and believes he returns it in his manly 
fashion. Poor, simple, confiding girl, 
little does she dream who it is that fills 
his heart to the exclusion of all others ! 

Harold Gordon sits for a long while 
after he finishes the last page. The 
other mail lies untouched, he is deep in 
the past ; he recalls his days of straitened 
circumstances, when only by desperate 
efforts he kept up appearances on a 
meager salary. One day he met Maude, 
a shy unsophisticated girl, just out of 
school. He had hardly noticed her until 
some one had said : 

“ It will be a lucky man who wins her, 
for an old uncle died leaving her his 
fortune of three hundred thousand dol- 
lars.” 

Such news brought the fortune hunt- 
ers swarming after her. She was proud, 
and would have none of them. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


45 


But had he not wooed and won her 
for her dollars ! Of what use now to 
think over the long, weary story, of how 
he met Mildred Ellerton, and knew then 
how terribly his sin had visited its own 
fruit upon him. 

And when he found that Mildred 
loved him, how bitter then his despair ! 
But alas, it was too late ! The thought, 
“ the saddest words of tongue or pen,” 
came mournfully to him. 

So he had taken up the battle of life 
disconsolately, hiding from the world 
the mistake of his youth, determined 
to crush out the guilty love ; but all in 
vain. 

The sight of Mildred’s beautiful face 
maddened him. “ I cannot live without 
you,” he had told her. “ When I see 
others near you attracted by your 
presence, I grow mad with jealousy.” 

Thus had life passed on for two years. 
So carefully guarded was their secret 
however, that no one suspected. No, 
for the wife favored Mildred, little 
dreaming of the consequences. Their 


46 A SINNER IN ORDERS '. 


meetings were carefully planned in out 
of the way places, and in a city like 
New York, it is not a very difficult 
matter. Here virtue and vice flourish 
very near at hand, and very often with 
no suspicion of the other’s existence. 
And so it will be, “ as long as the world 
goes round,” each striving for the mas- 
tery, for the upper hand, — which will 
win ? 

Mechanically he goes through the 
duties of the day. He must see Mil- 
dred, tell her that Maude is coming 
home next week. Instead of going to 
the club for his dinner, he stops in a 
restaurant and orders his meal. Food 
is distasteful to him. He pushes the 
plate away, and rises with an impa- 
tient move. He will walk, that is what 
he needs. 

Not until he has reached the Fifth 
Avenue Hotel does he realize how far 
he has gone. He drops in for some 
cigars and nods to two or three ac- 
quaintances who are lounging about. 
One comes up to him, 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 47 

“ So glad to see you back to town,” 
says a rather effeminate voice, “ where 
the deuce have you been all sum- 
mer ? Awfully dull here, no fun, no one 
here. What are you going to . do to- 
night?” 

Gordon looks up at the speaker. He is 
not a very young man, is dressed in the 
height of fashion, and impresses one as 
being superficial. 

“ Is that you, Coleman ? Oh, I have 
been across the pond, just got back, but 
must go on. I’ll see you again.” 

“ Yes, do ; drop into my rooms some 
night, same old place, West Twenty- 
second,” and Coleman laughs, showing 
his fine teeth. “You won’t forget me, 
now ? ” 

“ I’ll be on hand soon,” and as the 
man gives his hand an extra squeeze, 
Gordon says good-bye and proceeds on 
up Broadway. 

“ I never could stand that fellow, and 
to-night he would bore me to death,” 
he mutters to himself. 

“ What is going on ? ” asks Harold, a 


4 


48 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

little later, as lie gets in a crowd at the 
entrance of one of the theaters. 

“ Why, the Kendals,” some one volun- 
teers. 

He decides to see them, and in a few 
minutes is lucky enough to secure a 
seat very near the front. By a strange 
ordering of fate Gordon could not have 
selected a play more appropriate to 
himself. It was one depicting strong 
love, a married man’s infatuation for a 
young girl, and an innocent and unsus- 
pecting wife. And when presented by 
such clever people as the Kendals, of 
course, it goes without saying that the 
parts were handled with consummate 
skill. 

Harold sits spellbound to the close, 
he listens eagerly. How is it to end ? 
But ’tis the customary way. When a 
character in a novel or play is to be dis- 
pensed with the writer is apt to decide 
he must die gracefully, and this is what 
the hero’s wife did. And so the two 
came together eventually and lived 
happy ever after. Curtain ! 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


49 


To Gordon it all seemed real, lie pic- 
tured himself as this man with Mildred. 
Yes, his love is just as strong, to do 
or die. 

Once more in the street with the ro- 
mance left behind, how drear it is to 
come back to the real. His whole soul 
cries out in rebellion to present exist- 
ence. Something must happen, he can- 
not go on living so. Then he thinks “ I 
will go far away, will try to banish all 
thoughts of her by constant change.” 
But can he go ? Ah, there was the test ! 
Was he brave enough to sever all con- 
nections ? 

“No, I cannot, cannot go. Better 
this torment of mind, this life of a living 
lie ! I must keep it up.” These thoughts 
and more pass quickly through his 
mind as he hurries along. 

Where next? Again he comes to a 
halt. “ The Casino roof garden ” he 
thinks and makes for that destination. 

Surely here is gayety enough to 
drown his feelings. He hears a tinkling 
of glasses, the popping of corks and in 


50 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

a moment can distinguish a crowd 
seated around small tables drinking 
wine. Gordon finds an empty seat and 
turns to the stage. A young girl in 
scanty attire is gayly singing a French 
song. 

Most of those assembled evidently 
understood, for they every now and 
then applaud loudly. “Brava, brava ! 
More, more !” they cry as the gay singer 
ends her song by a graceful pas seul t 
then kisses her hand to her admirers 
and disappears. 

But as Mademoiselle has already re- 
sponded, she refuses to appear again, 
so the next number comes on, a woman 
inclined to ebonpoint , in male attire. She 
sings an English song, smokes a ciga- 
rette and winks deliciously at some- 
thing specially broad. 

All this Gordon sees, but is not 
amused. Perhaps, so lately from Paris 
the home of this class of vaudeville, has 
something to do with it, for of course 
all this is a little stupid to scenes such 
as he has witnessed. He finishes his 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


5 1 


■bottle of wine, almost scowls at two 
females who have been endeavoring to 
win his attention and then saunters 
around until he finds a comparatively 
quiet place. 

Hundreds and thousands of lights 
illuminate the darkness, the stars so 
near him twinkle on this scene of gilded 
vice, the hoarse voice of the applauding 
crowds faintly reaches his ears. It is 
almost midnight, but the city is not 
sleeping. No, it never sleeps. From 
day to night, from night to dawn scenes 
of all descriptions are being enacted 
and so on to the end. 

4 ‘ Men are dreaming, 

Stars are gleaming 

In the far-off Heaven’s blue; 

Bosom aching, 

Music waking, 

Midnight winds, I sigh with you.” 


i 


CHAPTER V. 

A Dinner Party and Ashley Dayton s Dis- 
covery. 

The following evening the Van 
Crugers gave a dinner. Now not to 
know the Van Crugers was to argue 
yourself unknown in the social swim, as 
many an aspirant for such honors had 
found out sadly enough. 

The Van Crugers prided themselves 
on their lineage. Had not their fore- 
fathers been among the original set- 
tlers of Manhattan Island ? True it was 
whispered by the disappointed ones 
outside the charmed circle that the Van 
Cruger millions had been made in mut- 
ton and tallow, but then jealous rumors 
are apt to be unreliable. 

At all events the men of to-day lived 
in luxurious ease. There were two of 
them, father and son. Mrs. Van Cruger 
and her daughter Vivian, made up the 
remainder of the family, making as 


54 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


fashionable a quartet as one would wish 
to see. The elder woman was fair, fat 
and forty, (plus ten), and had not her 
stays been carefully adjusted, would 
have no figure to speak of, but in this 
age all things are possible, and conse- 
quently as a work of art her appearance 
was elegant. 

Mr. Van Cruger was a genial old 
gentleman, say of sixty or thereabouts, 
generous to a fault and imbued with 
the idea that if life was worth living, 
one must live well. His early days had 
been ones of toil, and the fact that by 
his own shrewdness and sagacity he had 
made his fortune, gave him a rather 
pompous air, a feeling of self-conscious- 
ness, which after all, was, perhaps, ex- 
cusable. The old gentleman was a keen 
observer, and years had given him the 
gloss and refinement of polite society, 
so that no one would have suspected his 
humble origin. 

Miss Van Cruger was a tall ultra 
fashionable blonde of nineteen, with a 
weakness for admiration. She had 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


55 


beautiful blue eyes, but a rather in- 
sipid expression ; she lacked animation 
and chose to pose as a languid beauty. 
But Miss Van Cruger was kind-hearted, 
and except for this desire to pose was a 
very attractive girl. 

Lastly, but by no means least, was 
Mr. Walter Frederick Van Cruger. He 
was always careful to write his full 
name, so I have been particular. He 
had just attained his majority, and the 
important knowledge that another man 
was in the house had not been lost upon 
him. Unlike his sister, Walter was 
dark, always perfectly dressed, with 
just the proper expression of boredom. 
He was the criterion of fashion among 
the young swells. In years he was 
twenty-one, but in experience twice 
that age, and one had to rise at dawn to 
keep pace with him, or in the language 
of the nineteenth century, one, to be up 
with him, must get up pretty early in 
the morning or get left. 

The Van Cruger home was all that 
luxury and elegance could dream of. 


56 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


There are hundreds of others equally as 
fine in Gotham, so this created no extra 
comment, but nothing was wanted to 
make it a palace. Situated on Fifth 
avenue, above Sixtieth street, Mr. Van 
Cruger had bought the house years be- 
fore and thoroughly renovated it. To- 
night they were to give a small but se- 
lect dinner to some English friends 
who had been staying with them at 
“ Lawrins,” the VanCruger country seat. 
The anticipated sailing of these friends 
had caused the early return to town, 
and as a fitting farewell, the dinner. 

Among the invited guests were the 
Ellertons, Ashley Dayton and Harold 
Gordon. 

By a strange turn of events, Mildred 
and Harold find themselves seated side 
by side and Mrs. Ellerton and Ashley 
their vis a vis. 

The scene was pleasing to look upon. 
There are twenty covers, not enough to 
make it a very formal affair, and there 
seems to be a happy cordiality between 
all that made it a really congenial 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


57 


group. The decorations are in pink 
and so exquisitely arranged that the ef- 
fect is at once novel and charming. 

Mildred wears a lemon colored gown 
which shows off her dark beauty to per 
fection. To-night she is very happy. 
Harold is near her, and her bright ani- 
mation lends an added charm to her 
appearance. 

Gordon thinks he has never seen her 
more beautiful, and he determines to 
throw the future from him to-night, and 
be happy. His gay repartee and spark- 
ling bon mots make him very popular, 
and the Van Crugers secretly congratu- 
late themselves that he is with them. 

Now and then as Dayton replies to 
Gordon, he cannot but contrast the lat- 
ter’s manner with that of the other even- 
ing, when they had dined tete-a-tete. “ I 
wonder what has caused the change, this 
flow of spirits ” he thinks. “ He is a 
queer fellow, as changeable as the wind, 
I cannot understand him at all.” Ashley 
turns to respond to a remark of Mrs. 
Ellerton, and for a time dismisses 


58 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Harold's vagaries from his mind, but 
afterwards they are recalled very 
vividly. 

Later in the evening the guests are 
entertained with music. A celebrated 
violinist and pianist discourse sweet 
strains to the delectation of all. 

During an intermission Gordon finds 
an opportunity to speak to Mildred what 
most he desires. They are seated in an 
alcove of the music room, and some- 
what screened from observation. 

“ Mildred, I have something to tell 
you," Gordon begins. “ I received a 
letter from Maude yesterday, she is 
now on her way home. Her parents de- 
cided to return suddenly, so she accom- 
panies them." 

Mildred starts, a little surprised. “ It 
is rather sudden, is it not ? But no doubt 
she grew tired and was glad of the op- 
portunity to return." She finds herself 
showing how unwelcome is the news, 
and strives to guard against it. 

After a moment Harold continues, 
“ Maude will arrive next week, Saturday. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


59 


She asked after you and your mother, 
presuming you were still out of town.” 

The girl makes no response, but sits 
with downcast eyes intent on her fan. 
He wonders what thoughts are pass- 
ing through her; is she, too, disap- 
pointed? 

“ Mildred,” he says, lowering his 
voice almost to a whisper, “ when can 
you meet me this week at the old place ? 
We will have dinner together as here- 
tofore, and — ” 

“ Harold, I can not come,” she says, 
quickly, “ I ought not. I had deter- 
mined to tell you we must not meet 
that way any more. Think of the risk, 
the exposure.” 

“ But just this time, Mildred, promise 
me. No one has ever discovered us ; 
surely you will do this just once more 
for me. I promise you I will not ask it 
again,” he grows so earnest she fears 
he will be observed. 

“ Harold, not so loud. Why do you 
insist? I tell you I can not keep up 
this dissimulation any longer. No, if 


6o 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


it kills me I will stop it ! ” she says, in 
a low, tense voice. 

Just then a burst of music interrupts 
his reply, and some words of Longfel- 
low come vaguely to her : 

“This life of ours is a wild aeolian harp of many a 
joyous strain, 

But under them all there runs a loud perpetual wail 
as of souls in pain. ” 

If any one had noticed he would 
have seen how white Harold's face 
grew all of a sudden. There was one 
who noticed it and was very near, near 
enough to hear Mildred’s passionate 
words, low spoken as they were. 

Ashley Dayton had been carrying on 
an animated conversation with Miss 
Van Cruger. By chance he had volun- 
teered to fetch her fan, which was in an 
adjoining room. In going, Dayton had 
to pass near the two who were talking 
so earnestly, and was not observed. The 
above words of Mildred reached his 
ears. Surprise and consternation fol- 
lowed each other through his mind. 
What could such words imply ? There 
seemed to be but one meaning. There 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


61 


existed a secret between them, and one 
that implied indiscretion. Rapidly over 
Ashley’s mind came the thought of 
Harold’s strange remarks on that night 
they had dined together. Then Ash- 
ley had thought Gordon was tired of 
his wife, that it had been a match for 
money only on his part. 

But could this scene solve the prob- 
lem better ? Heavens, was it possible 
there existed between Miss Ellerton and 
him an understanding! The thought 
fairly staggered him ; he forgot his 
errand and stood in the drawing room 
as one dazed. From where he was he 
could hear the rich music of the violin 
blending with the master touch at the 
piano. 

The hum of well bred praise passing 
from one to the other came to him. He 
could also see the two still conversing. 
Harold seemed pleading, and Mildred 
obdurate, but yielding. Finally the man 
conquers, for with a look of intense 
thankfulness, mingled with adoration, 
he gazes for a moment on the girl. 


62 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


Then they separate, and Dayton stands 
as one in a dream. He is stunned at the 
discovery. His unbounded admiration 
for Harold is shattered, a feeling of 
contempt for the man fills him. If any 
person had told him of Gordon’s incon- 
stancy, he would have refused to be- 
lieve it, and demanded an explanation. 
But now his own eyes had seen, and 
that which he would have vehemently 
denied, was so in evidence there was 
nothing but overwhelming truth con- 
fronting him. 

Faith in human nature is a beautiful 
thing in theory for the untried, the in- 
experienced, but in nine cases out of 
ten one has only to live long enough to 
see this chimera shattered, and then 
how bitter the awakening ! 

We may for a time, suffering under 
the keen disappointment, the disillusion- 
ment, grow cynical, but there comes a 
time when we live and let live with 
many grains of allowance, knowing per- 
fection is unattainable and faith is not 
an unshaken quality, but alas, very 
often an exploded theory ! 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 63 


For the remainder of the evening 
Ashley Dayton is ill at ease and longs 
to get away and be alone. To most 
men such a discovery would only awaken 
surprise, and, perhaps, amusement, and 
then be dismissed. But Dayton was 
not of that sort, his ideas of integrity 
and honor had not been sullied by 
the constant brushing against le bean 
monde nor ever would be. 

At the earliest opportunity, he takes 
his departure and goes directly to his 
rooms. At first he decides he must 
seek Gordon and tell him all he knows 
and has seen of this affair, but pru- 
dence bids him wait for a more conven- 
ient season. Just now in his excited 
state he might say things he would be 
sorry for and would regret later on ; 
for he concludes if Harold Gordon ever 
stood in need of an advising friend it is 
now. The feeling of contempt gives 
place to one of sorrow. His heart, 
kinder than most men’s in friend- 
ly affection, feels a genuine pity, 

and he is already seeking about 
5 


64 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


for an excuse to shield his friend. 

For the woman he feels a great rising 
of indignation. What with her beauty, 
her fascination has she not accom- 
plished ! 

“ Find me an honest, noble woman, 
for I have met none save one, my old 
mother ! ” and then and there he vows 
to keep aloof from women’s snares and 
captivating wiles. 

There were two others with sorrow- 
ing hearts that night also lying awake, 
and looking the future in the face with 
weary forebodings. 

Mildred and Harold had decided to 
meet and say farewell. She had in- 
sisted, and he silenced by her argu- 
ments, had acquiesced. They had 
awakened to the folly of their ways. It 
was madness to love as they had loved. 
On the one side stood honor and fidel- 
ily firm and inflexible ; on the other a 
broken faith and shame. After a weary 
struggle the right was to conquer. One 
more meeting as in the old days, and 
then a stern world to face with aching 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 65 


hearts ; the past to live down ; a life 
stretching out bleak and cheerless. But 
memory would cling ever to the pres- 
ent, and keep alive a hopeless love. 

“ One who hopelessly remembers, 

Cannot bear a dawning light, 

He would rather watch the embers 
Of a love that once was bright. 

Who shall school the heart’s affection ? 

Who shall banish its regret ? 

If you blame my deep dejection, 

Teach, O, teach me to forget.” 







CHAPTER VI. 

A Dinner Sub Rosa , and a Wise Resolve. 

One afternoon a few days later, a 
passer-by might have seen a woman 
closely veiled issue from the Ellerton 
mansion, and walk rapidly toward 
Broadway. She was dressed all in 
black, and as plainly as possible. Still 
one could discern the lady born in the 
erect carriage of the head and graceful 
walk. After going a short distance she 
takes a cross-town car to the east side, 
then walks a few blocks, and finally 
arrives at an unpretentious building 
from which swings a sign inscribed, 
“ The Bonne Bouche.” 

Entering the side-door she is con- 
fronted by a man who is evidently ex- 
pecting her, for he bows low and con- 
ducts her to the elevator. 

“ Take madame to third floor, room 
twenty-seven,” he says, and in a few 


68 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


moments Miss Ellerton, (as I presume 
the reader has divined it is, ere this) 
knocks at the door. It is opened quickly, 
and before she is hardly aware of it, 
Gordon has her in his strong arms kiss- 
ing again and again her white face. 

“My darling, I thought you were 
never coming ! O, how the time has 
dragged ! I was beginning to imagine 
all sorts of things. I believe I am ner- 
vous,” says Gordon, as he leads her to a 
chair. 

The man looks pale and agitated, and 
Mildred feels a great pity go out to him. 

“ O, Harold, if you knew what effort 
this cost me! I had decided not to 
come. I felt I could not bear to come 
to you again for the last time ! ” Her 
voice betrays the weakness, and the 
unshed tears show in the dark pleading 
eyes she raises. 

“ Don’t Mildred, for God sake do not 
make it harder ! You opened my eyes 
the other night to the danger we were 
falling into. I have promised to give 
you up, help me keep that promise Mil- 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 69 


dred. Come, sit here with me, it is the 
last time I must kiss those dear lips, 
and press your heart to mine.” 

“ Harold, be brave for my sake ! Give 
me the strength to bear this ! Harold, 
I shall always love you,” she whispers 
caressing his hair. “No one can ever 
be to me as you are ; these eyes will al- 
ways be with me ; let me look into them 
once more ; there, I shall see them al- 
ways, just as they are now.” 

In a few moments she goes on : “ We 
will often meet, of course, in society, but 
I shall show no sign of our past ; you 
can trust me Harold ! Promise me you 
will always be kind to Maude ; she 
loves you, try to love her better. And 
Harold,” she says falteringly, “ Do not 
let Maude come to me right away ; tell 
her I will go to her in a little while, 
but give me just a little time.” 

The man looks up and holds her face 
between his hands tenderly. “ Darl- 
ing, you have given me courage, have 
taught me the right. Awhile ago when 
I was waiting here so impatiently, I de- 


70 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


cided to persuade you to live on as be- 
fore. I felt desperate ; willing to sac- 
rifice home, honor, everything, only to 
be possessed of your love. Now I am 
calmer, your words have made me feel 
how far above me you are. With God’s 
help I will try to live worthy of my 
wife, with no shame to her. But I can- 
not forget you Mildred ! A leopard can- 
not change his spots, neither can I put 
your image from me! You are a part 
of my life.” He bows his face and she 
feels the hot tears pressing hers. 

In a little while they grow calmer, 
and talk with some degree of confi- 
dence. A knock is heard, and Gordon 
goes to the door. 

“Will you have dinner served now 
sir?” A voice says: 

“ Yes, bring it up at once.” 

Now Mildred you must coax your- 
self to eat a little and drink a glass of 
wine to bring the roses back to those 
pale cheeks. Come, and he leads her to 
the adjoining room where a table is 
soon set with a most tempting repast. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


7i 


They become almost happy for a time, 
and Mildred smiles, looking - like her old 
self. 

So many times they had met here and 
had these delightful little dinners. Ah, 
would she ever forget these meetings ! 
Of course it was wrong and far from 
prudent, these stolen interviews, but 
love is often blind, and sometimes con- 
quers. 

Before Harold realized it the parting 
was over. Mildred had rested in his 
arms, close to his heart, and he had held 
her so closely that she cried out from 
very pain. Their lips had met in one 
long clinging kiss and then she gently 
released herself and left him, casting 
not one farewell look. No, she dare not, 
her strength was fast giving out. The 
temptation to abandon all and go where 
he willed, was growing strong, it almost 
mastered her. Not until she was on the 
street again, her veil carefully drawn, 
did she trust herself, then a long sigh 
escaped her. Farewell to happiness! 
Ah, was she ever to know what that 


72 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


was again ? Through the long vista of 
years which stretched out bleak, barren 
and desolate, there seemed no beacon 
light to cheer ! All was swallowed up 
in unutterable gloom. 

Ah, girl, there are many like you just 
now, who look forward with a hopeless 
despair, when there seems no joy on 
earth or peace in Heaven. When we 
bury our dead, and see their remains put 
beneath the sod, we take up life again 
with bowed heads and saddened mem- 
ories. 'After a while the thought of 
their future life, of their release from 
suffering, is soothing and comforting. 
But it is the living, existing griefs that 
are ever before us, that cause poignant 
sorrow ; for the wound still rankles, the 
ever present recollection gives no time 
for respite and calm. 

It was a quiet, set face that met Mrs. 
Ellerton the next morning. Mildred 
had passed a miserable night and her 
face almost frightened her when she 
looked in her mirror. By the skillful 
use of cosmetics, however, she hid the 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


73 


ravages of sleeplessness and tears and 
little did her parent dream of the ordeal 
through which her daughter had 
passed. Perhaps if Mildred had been 
in the habit of confiding in her mother 
as daughters are apt to do, Mrs. Eller_ 
ton would have been more observant, 
but as the elder woman had never en- 
couraged it, Mildred had grown up with a 
reservation of manner, consequently if 
she was a trifle more quiet than usual, 
it was not an object of notice. 

Mrs. Ellerton talked on various top- 
ics, Mildred responding enough to keep 
her going. 

Just as the meal was ended and Mil- 
dred endeavoring to hide her almost 
untouched breakfast, the letters were 
brought in. It was their custom to read 
them just at this time, the mail never 
being brought by the carefully trained 
maid until the completion of the morn- 
ing meal, for as Mrs. Ellerton argued 
very wisely, good news could wait and 
bad news be more ably born. 

“ From Mrs. Minturn,” says Mrs. El- 


74 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


leton eagerly opening a dainty envelope. 
“ Ah, Mildred, she writes that they are 
about leaving the White Mountains and 
will stop in New York for a time before 
going South. Her son Victor accom- 
panies her/’ 

Mildred has only half heard her 
mother. She has been reading a mis- 
sive written in a bold running hand. 
She has risen and goes towards the 
door. 

“ The Minturns, O yes, so they are 
coming to New York ! Well I know that 
will please you. I must respond to this 
at once,” holding up her letter, “ so will 
leave you a few minutes.” 

Alone in her boudoir, she turns to the 
letter again, it runs as follows : 

“My dear Miss Ellerton : If you are 
disengaged for Thursday evening, it will 
make me most happy to call . There are 
some matters concerning the Guild I wish 
to talk over , I have some new plans to lay 
before you. I shall bring with me the song 
I heard you express a desire for , ‘ Love in 
a purple twilight .’ The author has kindly 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


75 


extended me a copy zvith his compliments. 
Hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you 
very soon, I remain , 

Yours very sincerely, 

Charles Summers .” 

Her first impulse on reading the note 
is to write an excuse. Of what use to 
see him ! It is a matter of indifference 
to her whether he comes or goes. She 
recalls that eve when last he was here, 
how she had fascinated him, and he was 
near, very near to a declaration. “ I 
wonder what he would think were he to 
know the truth, would his admiration 
take alarm and flee ! ” All this she 
thinks in a desultory way, pen in hand, 
little knowing what momentous fate 
awaits the writing of that reply. 

After all she may as well see him, 
perhaps it would help her to forget her 
present unhappiness. Instinctively she 
knows of his ardent admiration, though 
the Rev. Charles Summers has never 
given voice to it. 

Every woman experiences a sense of 
triumph in knowing her power over a 


76 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


man. When he shows sometimes, even 
if unconsciously, his preference, a feel- 
ing of exultation is sure to come. 

Mildred knew she was beautiful (pray 
what woman does not) and possessed a 
wonderful fascination for the opposite 
sex, and it was by her excellent tact she 
managed them so well. 

Suddenly she begins to write, and ere 
long has penned a most cordial note 
saying how pleased she will be to see 
him, and expressing thanks for the ex- 
pected song. A feeling of recklessness 
has come over her. Why should she 
be so circumspect when such a dreary 
future stretches out ! Why not snatch 
brief pleasure to drown pain ! It would 
all end the same. She has no heart to 
love; why not amuse herself with others ? 
No bitterness could follow worse than 
present existence. She would exercise 
all the powers of her wonderful beauty 
upon Mr. Summers. He was suscepti- 
ble — a ready conquest. Nature yearned 
for comforting arms, a manly breast for 
a pillow, and all the joys of being loved. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


77 


Pleasures untasted seemed spread out 
in tempting array. Her heart beat 
tumuluously as one thought followed 
another, and from the moment they 
came and took possession, she seemed 
changed. She thought of Harold with 
wild longings. She could not under- 
stand, — she did not try ; — the fact that 
she had become a stranger to herself in 
feelings and desires made her head 
reel. 

“Alas, how easily things go wrong, 

A sigh too deep or a kiss too long; 

And then comes a mist and a weeping rain 
And life is never the same again.” 




w 







CHAPTER VII. 

A Dreamer' s Words and a Wife's Misery. 

In another home not far away, a 
couple are seated. Maude Gordon has 
returned. Her husband had met her 
with open arms a few days before, being 
among the first to step aboard the 
steamer. Tears of joy shone in the 
blue eyes upturned to her husband. 

“ My dear Harold, I am so glad to be 
with you,” Maude had said, “I do not 
think I can ever go so far away again, 
and never will I let you go.” 

To an observer she appeared hardly 
out of her teens, a mere girl with inno- 
cent face and eyes and beautiful blonde 
tresses, 

“ To doubt her fairness were to want an eye, 

To doubt her pureness were to want a heart ,’ * 

and one would scarce regard her as 
being one and twenty and a wife. 

For several days, being busy with her 

home coming and the arranging of her 
6 


8o 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


house, she had not noticed Harold 
closely. This morning she is struck 
with his pallor, the weary look about 
the eyes. 

“ My dear, are you unwell, have you 
been ill and never told me, is it possi- 
ble? ” and she raises an anxious face to 
his. 

“ Oh no, Maude, I am only a trifle run 
down, the business has made me anx- 
ious, I feel easier now and will soon 
look like my old self. But you, you 
look as fresh as a rose, the salt breezes 
have improved you wonderfully.” He 
speaks with affected gayety and tries to 
make light of her fears. 

“ How are all my friends Harold, are 
there many in town ? I fancy they will 
soon be turning homeward now as I 
have.” 

“There are not many at home yet 
but I hear the Vandergrifts and the 
Pierces return next week, and Mrs. Le 
Roy, it is rumored, soon entertains in 
her palace of a home.” 

“ The Ellertons, are in the mountains 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


81 


I presume. It is strange Mildred has not 
written me for weeks, almost months.” 

At the name Gordon starts so per- 
ceptibly that Maude remarks, “ Why 
Harold, how you start, you are ner- 
vous, not a bit well I am afraid.” 

“ I forgot to say,” he responds now on 
his guard, “they are at home, came 
some two weeks ago. Mildred is not 
very well, a cold I think ; that is why 
she has not called, I entirely forgot to 
tell you. Odd of me now was it not 
Maude ! ” and Harold laughs nervously. 

If his wife regards his manner as 
strange she takes no note of it now and 
directly the topic turns to other things 
and Gordon is soon at his ease. 

As days pass on Maude notices with 
increasing anxiety the apparent signs 
of ill health in her husband. His as- 
sumed gayety and affected light heart- 
edness do not deceive her, and that 
there is something on his mind, a 
mental disturbance, she feels sure. Most 
wives would have approached their hus- 
bands, endeavoring by some means or 


8 2 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


another to fathom the cause, but not so 
Maude. Loving her husband as she 
does dearly, she still has always felt an 
awe of him, and never had shown that 
gay abandon, that peering curiosity of 
her sex. So while she had asked him 
tenderly if he was sure he was feeling 
well and was quite happy, she did not 
persist in her queries when he evaded 
her scrutiny. 

Winter had now fairly set in, and the 
social leaders were mostly home at their 
posts. The Ellertons and Gordons met 
often in society, but Maude had found 
Mildred some how different. To the 
young wife the girl seemed never at 
ease when with her, and gradually they 
drifted apart. This was another cause 
of sorrow to Maude. Why had Mildred 
chosen to drift away from her ! 

Suddenly, like a flash of lightning 
out of a clear sky, the truth came to 
her, came with a blinding certainty, and 
thereafter happiness, and Maude Gor- 
don were strangers. 

One night when she lay awake, as she 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 83 

often did now, some muttered words of 
her sleeping husband caused her to 
turn to him. The late moon shone 
through the open casement, and by its 
light Maude could make out the form 
.and features of Harold, as he lay on his 
back, one arm tossed carelessly over his 
head. The face was pale and careworn, 
and lines of trouble marked their fur- 
rows on his brow, from which the hair 
was brushed back. A feeling of pity, 
of great anxiety steals over the watcher. 

“My husband,” she murmurs, “my 
dear Harold, O that I could make you 
like your old self, the light hearted, the 
happy ! ” 

The sleeper moves uneasily, exposing 
the neck so white and strong, “ Mildred, 
Mildred,” he says. 

What is it she hears, is he calling her ? 
She but half hears and is about to re- 
spond. Again his voice, “ O Mildred, I 
cannot live without you, I cannot keep 
my promise !” 

With straining ears and tense breath 
she listens. Had she heard aright ? God> 


84 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

what was it he said ! Mildred, what Mil- 
dred ? There was only one. A great 
wave of unhappines comes over her, 
threatening to render her senseless. 
Unmindful of cold, she half rises with 
white face and staring eyes. Listen, 
the sleeper’s lips again move. 

“ I know we have promised to part 
forever, but Mildred, my Mildred, I 
can not give you up ! ” 

The words come in low mutterings, 
but the wife hears all. Now she knows 
the story of his unhappiness. No, it 
must be a dream, she will awake from 
this terrible nightmare, she must ! 

What is it shining through the win- 
dow, lighting up her grim misery? 
She totters from the bed, finds her way 
to the window. All is still as death, 
the beating of her heart is all she hears. 
Outside it is cold, clear and beautiful. 
The moon is now riding high, a shin- 
ing globe, and the stars spangle the 
mantle of night. The trees cast long 
waving shadows, the streets are long 
lanes of loneliness. All this Maude 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 85 

sees distinctly, notes with startling 
exactness the surroundings. Dazed, 
stunned, motionless she stands, a pale 
ghost-like form. 

By and by she turns and discerns her 
husband still sleeping, all unconscious 
of the terrible secret which has passed 
his lips. 

Gradually the wife reviews the past 
as the inevitable hopeless calm which 
follows such a shock sets in. Perhaps 
all their wedded life he has loved this 
other, this Mildred of whom he spoke ! 
The experience which comes to some 
women in a lifetime has all at once come 
to her. She understands now that 
while her husband has always been kind 
and good, it was not affection and love. 
She in her girlhood’s innocence had 
mistaken the one for the other. 

Could she return and lie next to him, 
he who had so cruelly deceived her? 
Suddenly a strong feeling of pity goes 
out to him, perhaps he was not entirely 
to be blamed. What was she to the 
proud, beautiful Mildred ! Could he be 


86 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


condemned so severely ? She gazes out 
into the night, and a familiar verse 
comes to her : 

‘‘Night shall come up with garniture and stars to 
comfort thee with shadow. ’ * 

But none comes to her. 

There are many types of women ; 
some imperious, proud, vain and head- 
strong, while others are mild and gen- 
tle, simple and unaffected, always seek- 
ing to excuse others. Of this latter 
type is Maude. 

Through the long hours when the 
moon had passed and the cold grey 
dawn struggled for the mastery, a 
weary watcher, too, was struggling with 
her fate. God grant that but few spend 
such bitter hours of anguish ! But no 
noise disturbs Harold, the pent-up grief 
gives no sound. Before the high morn- 
ing hours Maude has fought her battle, 
and like the calm after a great storm, 
lies quiet with wide-open eyes. 

Later, Harold arose, thinking his wife 
asleep, and as his business that morning 
demanded early attention, he left a note 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 87 


explaining to Maude the reason of his 
hasty departure. 

“It was well he had done so,” she 
thought, drearily, “ I will have more 
time to learn to bear my burden.” She 
had decided to keep the secret for the 
present locked tightly in her breast and 
await the confirmation of her fears. 
True, they had been verified by his 
own words, but she would bide her 
time just a little. 

It was still early in the morning 
when Miss Summers pulled the bell at 
the Gordon home, and was ushered a 
few minutes later into the presence of 
Maude. 

“How glad I am to see you, dear 
Ellen, I was wishing for some good 
friend this very morning,” and Maude 
raises a rather pale, sleepless face to the 
new comer. 

“ I felt sure I would find you at this 
early hour,” says the elder woman, kiss- 
ing her fondly. “ Why, your hands are 
quite cold, dear. Come by this bright 
fire and warm them,” and she leads 


88 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Maude over to where a cheerful blaze 
proceeds from the open grate, noticing 
the pallor and evident trouble, but 
wisely not commenting upon it. 

“It is so good of you to throw for- 
mality aside and come to me in this 
way,” Maude tells her. “ I was pining 
for a companion. Harold went down 
town to business very early, so I break- 
fasted alone, and have been low-spirited 
ever since. I do so dislike eating alone, 
I can hardly swallow a mouthful.” The 
blue eyes still show traces of the many 
tears so lately shed, and Miss Summers 
can not help wondering what has caused 
them. 

“ I am very glad I came in. I hope, 
my dear, you are not pining for foreign 
shores,” says she smiling ; “ you have 
been so long among foreigners, I fancy 
you are a wee bit homesick for them.” 

“ O no, Ellen, how can you say that. 
Indeed I was thankful to get home 
again, for after all there is no place like 
home. How is your brother? ” Maude 
continues, “ I have wanted to thank him 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 89 


so much for his kindness to my assis- 
tant while away. Is he as much in- 
terested in the Sabbath School as ever? ” 

“Yes, he is very anxious that the 
school make a good showing for the 
holidays; he has been drilling them 
personally some time,” replies Miss 
Summers. “We are so pleased to have 
you with us once again ; now the 
singing will grow better, for I do not 
know how it is, but you seem to inspire 
them.” 

Maude smiles a little sadly, “01 am 
afraid I am not missed as much as you 
would have me believe. I have begun 
to think there is not so much bright- 
ness in living after all. What would 
you do Ellen,” she goes on looking 
seriously in the other’s face, “ if one in 
whom you had placed every trust and 
confidence had betrayed that trust ? ” 

The listener looks up, surprise depicted 
on her countenance. “ Why Maude, 
dear, what a question, why do you ask ?” 

“ I need some advice,” says the girl, 
her voice trembling and weak. “Oh, 


A SINNER IN ORDERS \ 


90 

Ellen, I am the most wretched woman 
in the whole world ! I am utterly mis- 
erable ! ” and, rising, she puts her arms 
around her friend and sobs hysterically 
on her breast. 

“ Why, Maude, what is the matter ? 
Calm yourself, tell me the cause of 
your unhappiness. There, there, now 
tell me all about it.” 

Miss Summers’ tender heart goes out 
in strong sympathy towards the weep- 
ing girl. She has known Maude for 
many years. Between them has exist- 
ed a warm feeling of love and regard. 
Quick to detect a change, she had be- 
fore noticed Maude’s sober and quiet 
moods, and had pondered over them. 
In a few moments the girl grows calm 
and sinks on a stool at Miss Summers’ 
feet. 

“Ellen, if ever I was in need of 
your love and care it is now,” she says, 
in a low voice. “ I feel I must confide 
in you, or the load I am carrying next 
to my heart will kill me.” 

“ My dear girl,” says Miss Summers, 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


91 


earnestly, holding the other’s hands in 
her own, “you know I have your in- 
terests in common with my own. Be- 
lieve me, any confidence you share 
with me I hold as sacred. Since you 
were a little girl I have loved and cared 
for you, and now in your woman’s 
years you can come to me fully expect- 
ing warm sympathy whenever needed.” 

“ My own Ellen,” Maude whispers 
fondly, “ I knew I could trust you.” 

Little by little she tells her story,, 
tells how her husband had unconscious- 
ly breathed fondly the name of an- 
other. 

When she would stop, unable to go 
on for a moment, Ellen Summers would 
stroke the golden head, softly murmur- 
ing, “ My poor, dear little girl.” 

Finally Maude finishes, and buries 
her head in her friend’s lap. 

“ Maude, have you not thought there 
might be some mistake, perhaps your 
fancy imagined more than was said? 
Oh, think well, dear, before you judge 
him too harshly.” 


92 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“No, I recall every word, they seem 
burned in my brain. Many things I 
had never construed I can now recall. 
When I spoke her name soon after my 
return, Harold started suddenly and 
paled. I attributed it then to his . in- 
tense mental strain. You know he has 
been unusually taxed of late. But now 
I see it all so plainly ! Oh, what have I 
done to deserve this cup of bitterness, I 
have always loved him so, and was so 
happy !” 

She rises and walks across the room 
wringing her hands. Miss Summers 
repeats softly : 

“ * But faith points out your radiant heaven, 

And bids the mourner not despair, 

Whispering afflictions are but given, 
nike angel-wings, to waft us there.’” 

To say Miss Summers was surprised 
at this piece of news imparted by 
Maude, would express it mildly. So 
often she had seen husband and wife 
together, and apparently they were per- 
fectly happy. She feels intuitively that 
Maude is not mistaken, has told her 
what is so. Now, however, her one 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


93 


thought is to cheer and comfort the 
girl-wife. Rising, she goes to her. 

“ Maude, will you not come home 
with me to-day, I want to talk with you 
seriously ? You must do nothing rash, 
remember he is your husband, come 
what may. Harold will not be home 
until evening, so come with me.” 

“ O, I cannot go out Ellen and face 
the world, I shall imagine that every 
one can read me and says there goes 
an unloved wife. She has thought her- 
self secure in her husband’s affection, 
now she has had her eyes opened to the 
truth. No, I cannot bear to think of 
going out.” 

“ Come dear, now you are talking 
foolishly! Bathe your eyes and face 
and we will go home. I have some gifts 
to prepare for the coming holidays, you 
shall help me arrange them.” And by 
dint of persuasion and gentle coaxing 
Ellen soon has Maude ready to accom- 
pany her to her home. 

Later when they are busy at their 
light tasks at the rectory, Maude seems 


94 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


almost cheerful, but her smile is such a 
sad pathetic one, Ellen’s heart goes out 
in tender pity for the wronged wife. 

If Charles Summers on coming in no- 
ticed the rather pale countenance of 
Mrs. Gordon, he wisely made no com- 
ments. Maude appears a trifle more 
quiet, more reserved at first, but no 
one can resist the cheery bright ways 
of the young minister. They are infec- 
tious, and Ellen is glad to see before 
long, signs of animation and revival of 
spirits. 

“ Now that you are back again Mrs. 
Gordon, I predict a renewed interest in 
our parish work. We have missed sadly 
your undaunted spirit and energy. 
Somehow you always act as an incen- 
tive to your fellow workers and renew 
their flagging interest.” 

“ I very much fear, Mr. Summers, 
you are over-rating my importance, I 
shall feel a great responsibility if all 
you say is true. Still, I think I need 
something to keep me busy, so you can 
expect me to take up my work 


A SINNER IN ORDERS, 


95 


again with the beginning of the week.” 

“Yes, Maude,” Miss Summers puts 
in, “We will arrange for the Guild’s 
Christmas entertainment at once, that 
will be a good beginning.” Thus they 
talked on for some time, and when 
Maude rises to go, Mr. Summers be- 
thinks himself of an errand, and accom- 
panies her to her home. 

At the sight of the familiar rooms 
where she had been so happy with her 
husband, Maude feels the overwhelm- 
ing sorrow come to her again. Soon, 
very soon now, Harold will return. Can 
she meet him with her accustomed 
cheerfulness, and thus carry out the 
plan to await developments ? She hears 
his key in the door, and nerves herself 

for the meeting which has come. 

7 




CHAPTER VIII. 

A Fall from Grace , and an Order of 
Platonics. 

Once more Mildred awaits a visitor. 
Mr. Summers has called several times 
of late. At first it was on one pretext 
or another, and to a third person their 
interest in mission work, to judge from 
numerous notes exchanged, was really 
very marked. 

Ever since that day when she and 
Harold had met and parted, life had 
taken on new phases for Mildred Eller- 
ton. Her better nature seemed smoth- 
ered in bitter resentment against fate. 

“ Of what use for her to live on and 
strive for the right when there seemed 
so little to hope for,” she argued. It is 
all very well to aim to be good when 
hope ever shines, when a future stretches 
out with chances of happiness, but with 
her there were no goals of ambition, no 


98 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

incentive to buoy up from temptation, 
and “ live for the present ” was all that 
offered. An indifference as to her fate 
had taken strong possession, and surely 
and certainly Mildred was drifting down 
the stream, if not unconscious, unmind- 
ful of allurements and generous un- 
dercurrents. 

Charles Summers, totally ignorant of 
this woman’s past, and of the thoughts 
that surged through her, had deter- 
mined to win her for his wife. Her 
beauty fascinated him as it did all other 
men. Had he been a man of the world 
perhaps he would have understood her 
better, but being simple of heart and 
unacquainted with the wiles of the 
snarer, he allowed himself to believe 
she was to him the one woman in the 
world. 

Others noticed his preference, and 
wondered if Mildred Ellerton would 
really settle down and marry the young 
clergyman. Quite a contrast to her gay 
society life, they thought, and shook 
their heads in disapprobation. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


99 


But the young rector has arrived, and 
now they are comfortably seated dis- 
cussing some topic of the day. 

After a time music is suggested, for 
under its charm the young divine feels 
he can observe her intently, drinking 
in the rich rare tones, telling so pas- 
sionately of love, all for love. 

“Mildred,” he says presently, calling 
her that for the first time, “ I wonder 
if you feel all that you have been sing- 
ing ! I have ; surely it is useless for me 
to disguise my feelings, and the fact 
that I love you.” He has been leaning 
on the piano as her voice dies away in 
the song, and now he reaches out his 
hand for hers, finds it and holds it firmly. 

“ I know you are deserving of more 
than I could ever hope to offer. So- 
ciety beckons you, and the homes of 
many of its leaders are open at any 
time where you might reign as mis- 
tress. You are not for me, I have told 
myself many times, but love has thrown 
aside all resolves, I can resist no longer ! 
I love you ! ” 


ioo A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


After a pause, for the first time she 
looks up. His face is ennobled by a 
brightness, a glad light of happiness, 
and with eager expectation he watches 
her. All that is good in the girl rises 
to the surface ; flashes of remorse for 
leading this man on wave themselves 
over her, then a thought of Harold 
comes, his dear memory seems even 
dearer. 

“ Mr. Summers, I do not know how 
to tell you, I should have warned you/' 
Her voice falters, she cannot bear the 
thoughts of disappointment which so 
soon will come to him. “ You must for- 
get me,” she goes on quickly ; “ believe 
me I am not worthy of you ; forget me 
and believe what I say.” Tears unshed 
come to the surface, and in this mo- 
ment Charles Summers forgets all else 
but his love. 

“ Not worthy,” he exclaims ! “ O, Mil- 
dred, do not say that, it is I who am un- 
worthy ! Tell me may I hope ? ” His 
arm glides around her, and he still 
holds her hand closely. His breath comes 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


IOI 


quickly and is so near her she is 
frightened at this sudden passion. Be- 
fore she can realize it is he pressing hot 
kisses on her lips, and breathing words 
of mad love. 

With a quick movement she frees 
herself and rises, “Mr. Summers, you 
forget yourself ! Listen, I respect and 
esteem you, but I do not love you. I am 
more sorry than I can say that you have 
misunderstood me, please understand.” 

He is a changed man now, passion 
has died within him. He realizes he 
has been too precipitate, has alarmed 
her, “ Mildred, I do not know what to 
say to make amends for my action, my 
only excuse is that love got the better 
of reason. I was too abrupt, I should 
have waited. Forgive me, will you 
not?” He holds out his hand to her 
and reluctantly she takes it. 

“ Perhaps after a while you will grow 
to think differently; tell me there is no 
other, none whom I might fear has won 
your heart.” The man looks eagerly, 
questioningly into her face. 


102 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

“Mr. Summers, please understand, 
my answer is final, there are some things 
best left unsaid. It is not likely I ever 
will marry. I know the world judges 
harshly at times. I have already felt 
its condemnation, they will tell you I 
am a flirt, a heartless coquette, that I 
strive to win men’s hearts only to re- 
ject them. I do not want you to think 
so. Somehow your opinion is one I 
would prize, promise you will not think 
me heartless.” She looks up with en- 
treaty showing in the dark eyes, “Mine 
has not always been a happy life. 
Women learn early to bear sorrow 
bravely with no outward sign, I have 
learned this lesson.” 

“ Mildred, I understand, another fills 
your heart, I am too late.” He sighs 
brokenly. “You have had some mis- 
understanding ! Do not hold aloof if it 
is that. Remember life is so short and 
so much depends on his happiness. A 
thoughtless word ofttimes changes a 
life of happiness to one of misery. But 
always remember I love you, and had 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


103 


fate so willed to make you mine, would 
have guarded you with as holy a love 
as God ever gave to man.” 

A great pity goes out from Mildred 
to the man who is giving her up, his 
goodness and nobleness strike remorse 
to her heart. 

“ Oh, Mr. Summers, I am not worthy 
of such great love as yours ! I fall so 
far short of what you believe me to 
be ! ” Tears shine in her eyes, and im- 
pulsively she stretches out her hands to 
him. Once more he takes them, yes, 
draws her to him. 

“ Oh, my darling, if you could only 
learn to love me, it is so hard to give 
you up !” The spell of her beauty is 
again upon him, close he presses her, 
and she can hear the quick beatings of 
his heart. 

“ We will be friends,” she whispers, 
“ can we not ? I have longed so often for 
a true friend, one in whom I can trusts 
can depend.” 

“Yes, you can trust me, I know not 
what troubles you, whether he whom 


104 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


you love has proven false or whether 
he is in the grave, but tell me as much 
as you please and I will trust and be- 
lieve/’ 

Like a tired child she rests in his 
arms, and for a moment there is no 
word spoken, then she gently draws 
away, but he retains the hold on her 
hands. 

“ My friend,” she says, “ does that 
mean all the term implies? If so, then 
you will trust me though fl must keep 
some sad thoughts deep within myself. 
The past holds dear, dead days that 
make thoughts of marriage joyless. 
Without more explanation are you 
willing to be my friend? ” 

The man gazing down in the lovely, 
mournful face is ready to swear eternal 
fidelity. “I ask nothing, tell me as 
much as you please, always remember I 
am yours, and until I know another 
claims you, I shall fill the role of friend 
so carefully you will never have occa- 
sion regret giving me that right.” 

Thus they talked on until the late 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


™ 5 

hours, and before he left he had sealed 
the friendship with words of such fer- 
vency, Mildred well knew she had at 
any time but to command and he would 
do and dare as her champion. 

A platonic friendship between man 
and woman is not impossible, but it is 
as rare as it is dangerous. To Mildred 
Ellerton the idea was comforting ; she 
knew her power over the man. While 
she still loved Harold Gordon, there 
had come that hopelessness, borne of 
despair. Had she not so much pride 
she would long since have called Har- 
old to her side and renewed their meet- 
ings as in the old days, but that was im- 
possible now. She had helped raise the 
barrier between them herself and then 
there had always been that harrowing 
fear of discovery. She longed for com- 
panionship, so when she saw Charles 
Summers growing to love her, she had 
planned to hold him by other chains 
rather than those of love. We have 
seen how well the plan she mapped out 
succeeded. 




CHAPTER IX. 

A Man's Pity and an Unhappy Wife . 

The same evening the Rev. Charles 
Summers and Mildred Ellerton were 
together, Ashley Dayton was dining at 
the Gordon home. He had on one pre- 
text or another heretofore declined the 
pressing invitations Gordon had given. 
With the knowledge of what he had 
seen and heard that night at the Van 
Crugers’, when Harold and Mildred were 
found tete-a-tete , Ashley Dayton had 
avoided if possible all meetings with 
the man. It was the answer to what 
had long puzzled him in Harold Gor- 
don's unhappiness and apparent worri- 
ment of mind. Dayton had always greats 
ly esteemed the wronged wife and now 
knowing this secret he felt an antipathy 
to being brought in contact with her. 
He felt as if her innocent eyes would 
read his very thoughts, and to see her 


io8 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


so unsuspecting and confiding was 
more than he could bring himself to do. 
But this time Gordon had insisted so 
positively, urging that his wife had also 
repeatedly spoken of him, that Dayton 
could find no reasonable excuse, so he 
had reluctantly accepted. 

At the first sight of Maude he could 
not help showing his surprise. She 
certainly had changed. Always slender 
and rather pale, she appeared now even 
more slight. She seemed constantly 
under a nervous strain and the hectic 
flush which came and went told of the 
threatenings of graver ills. 

“Such a stranger as you have be- 
come! Why Mr. Dayton where have 
you been keeping yourself? It has 
been a long time since you have hon- 
ored us. I think the last time was be- 
fore we went abroad.” 

“ I owe a thousand apologies, and will 
not commence to state my excuses, for 
now that I am here I want to enjoy my 
evening to the fullest. Are you quite 
well?” He glances up at the bright 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


109 

face but notices a sadness in the eyes 
which is too accustomed to its place to 
die out even under the light of a 
smile. 

“Yes, but so tired ! I think probably I 
traveled too much on the continent. 
We were going constantly and I over- 
rated my strength. Then this is a very 
trying winter, do you not think ? ” Ash- 
ley agrees with her and as Gordon en- 
ters at this moment he turns to him and 
soon the conversation becomes general. 

Harold Gordon, too, is not the same 
light-hearted man as of yore. Dayton 
cannot but contrast the two as they 
were a year ago, both have so changed. 

“ Is it possible she can know the se- 
cret which he so unexpectedly discov- 
ered?” thinks Dayton. “Has it re- 
sulted in both being unhappy ? Their 
altered looks surely can be traced to 
some momentous cause.” 

“ Do you see the Ellertons as often as 
you used,” asks Dayton after a time. 

At the mention of the name he no- 
tices with his keen eyes that Gordon 


no 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


starts slightly and that the wife looks 
up with a hard set face. 

“ Oh, not very often ! ” responds 
Gordon. “The fact is we have not 
gone out much this winter owing to 
Maude not feeling equal to it, so we 
are not meeting many of our old friends 
as heretofore. Society is too busy to 
keep up friendships if one happens to 
drop out or lag a little in the social 
rounds.” 

Maude has never once referred to the 
Ellertons during the evening and Day- 
ton decides she, too, knows and he is 
silenced. They have been talking of 
some society people who had lately 
become social rivals while before that 
they had been apparently warm friends. 

“ You can never tell how to take any 
one nowadays,” remarks Gordon, with 
a shrug of his shoulders, “one’s best 
friends are apt to turn traitors.” 

“ What a cynical speech, Harold, from 
you; you speak as though it were a 
personal matter,” says Dayton, looking 
at him keenly. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


hi 


“ I assure you/' puts in Maude, “ this 
is not the age of heroics. Why, what 
are friends in this age ? A disgrace to 
to the name ! Pshaw, I am sick of it 
all ! ” She makes an impatient gesture 
of disgust. 

“ I can not agree with you, Mrs. Gor- 
don. Were we to believe our friends 
false and untrue it would shake our con- 
fidence in all human nature and rob us 
of one of our greatest blessings — trust/* 
and Dayton speaks with earnestness. 

“ You have been studying Emerson, 
I fancy,” says Gordon ; “ it seems beau- 
tiful in theory I acknowledge, but a true 
and tried friend is as rare as, well as 
fine days this winter.” 

“ Really what have you two been do- 
ing this winter,” ejaculates Dayton, 
“ for such pessimistic ideas I never 
heard before. I am not going to allow 
myself to believe such traits have de- 
veloped in humanity. I believe there 
are just as many heroes, just as many 
true friends to-day as in the past. The 

world is not growing any worse, it is 
8 


1 12 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


only the fact that the knowledge comes 
sooner in this age of electricity and 
steam.” 

“ What a cheering view to have ! Now, 
about our women, I would so much like 
to know your ideas. Do you regard 
them as true to their sense of honor or 
more lax as recognition comes to their 
race ? ” The question comes from 
Maude Gordon with deliberateness. A 
smile hovers near her mouth, but it is 
not a pleasant one, perhaps a little sar- 
castic.” 

“ In my judgment as a bachelor, 
which you will consider a most limited 
one,” answers Dayton, regarding her 
cautiously, “ I shall maintain the same 
view of fairness. She is no worse. If 
you wish me to speak from experience 
I have nothing to say. I know many 
good women and have seen some fall 
from their pedestal, but believe me, 
woman is not growing any more lax, as 
you say, from having recognition ac- 
corded her.” 

“Come,” interrupts Gordon, as his wife 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


ii3 

is about to respond, “ we are not going 
to continue this argument, of what use 
to discuss these pros and cons . Wiser 
heads than ours contend over the world 
growing better or worse and their con- 
clusions are in the main unsatisfactory/’ 

“I want you to look over some of 
those foreign views, I have been very 
much interested in mounting them. I 
feel sure they will please you.” The 
rest of the evening Dayton spends in a 
usual way, and as he takes his departure 
the knowledge that husband and wife 
are drifting apart is very apparent. 

“ How will it end,” he muses. He is 
genuinely sorry for both and thinks 
almost with hatred of the woman who 
has brought about this estrangement. 





CHAPTER X. 

-A Hazardous Undertaking and What 
Came of It. 

The result of Ashley Dayton’s even- 
ing spent with the Gordons causes him 
to do a very hazardous thing. His de- 
sire to bring about harmony between 
Harold and his wife becomes a daily 
question, but just how to accomplish 
this desire for a time baffles him. Their 
interest and welfare lie very close to 
him. To see, as he supposes, a beautiful 
designing woman come in between hus- 
band and wife makes him hot with 
^righteous indignation. He knows Miss 
Ellerton quite well, has in fact called 
once or twice, so he determines to see 
her and in some way (he has decided on 
no definite plan of action) to convey that 
.the knowledge of the whole affair is 
known to him. 

Had Dayton realized the gravity of 
calling upon a young woman and accus- 


1 1 6 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


ing her of undue intimacy with one of 
the opposite sex, a married man, per- 
haps he would have hesitated before 
taking the step. In a way Ashley was 
singularly fearless. His sense of right 
and wrong was clearly defined and once 
his mind was made up he acted accord- 
ingly. So, when he decided to see Miss 
Ellerton, it was not long ere he put his 
thoughts to action. 

If Mildred felt any surprise at Day- 
ton’s unexpected call she did not show 
it. He had always appeared rather cold 
in her eyes. With most men she easily 
won her way, but it was different with 
this one. In vain she had smiled and 
used all the arts at her command, but he 
never for a moment was fascinated. 
Piqued at her failure Mildred decided 
he was stupid and turned to others. 

To-night Dayton seemed uneasy, he 
changed quickly from one topic to 
another. Finally he came direct to 
what was uppermost in his mind. 

“ Have you seen the Gordons lately ? ’* 
he asked, looking directly at her. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 117 

“ Not very,” she makes answer, turn- 
ing her eyes away. “Ido not meet them 
out very much. I understand Mrs. Gor- 
don is ailing, or something of the sort.” 

“ Indeed, she is far from well, I never 
saw a woman so changed. She impresses 
me as being far from happy. There 
may be other causes than ill health 
preying upon her.” 

“ Why what can you mean, how 
strange you talk, has she not her hus- 
band with her ? ” 

“Yes, but there is something wrong 
and this gives me the opportunity of 
speaking frankly. Miss Ellerton, until 
lately you and Mrs. Gordon were warm 
friends, can you not divine the cause of 
the change in her ? ” 

“ I, no ; she has never made me her 
confidante .” 

“ Is that so ; I can imagine you never 
made a coyifidante of her.” 

“ Mr. Dayton, why do you regard me 
so curiously? You have a reason for 
asking me these questions, I can see it, 
what is it ? ” 


ii 8 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“Yes, you are right, Miss Ellerton, I 
have a reason, can you not imagine to 
what I allude ? ” 

“ No,” as she shakes her head. 

“Pardon me if I seem rude, but 
Harold Gordon and I have been warm 
friends, I have watched him daily, won- 
dering what has caused him to change 
so. That he is unhappy and his wife un- 
happy I know. There is a coldness 
between them, an estrangement. Miss 
Ellerton, it was with the one idea of 
alleviating this unhappiness I came to 
you tonight.” As Dayton speaks he 
rises and his voice sounds stern and de- 
manding. 

“ Really, Mr. Dayton, I fail to under- 
stand how I can be of the slightest 
service to you.” Her voice is slightly 
raised and her interlaced hands tell of 
nervousness. 

In a moment the man’s voice goes on : 
“ The last evening I had the pleasure of 
seeing you it was also my misfortune to 
be an unwilling listener to a tete-a-tete. 
The parties were you and Harold Gor- 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


Ir 9 

don. I overheard enough to convince 
me that the key to my friend’s trouble 
was found.” 

“Eavesdropping, how elevating!” 
And Miss Ellerton’s sneer makes one 
doubt whether it is really a beautiful 
face, so changed is the expression. 

“ Pray be seated, don’t stand over me 
as though you were bent on annihilation. 
I am not going to make a scene and de- 
nounce it as false. Now what do you 
propose to do?” The woman throws 
her head back defiantly and regards 
him steadily. 

Ashley had expected a storm of de- 
nials, an exhibition of pretended out- 
rage ; he was not prepared for such a 
cool acknowledgment. As he seats 
himself without speaking Mildred con- 
tinues. 

“ I know you think me false, untrue, 
capable of much sinning, and I am not 
going to pretend I am a saint. I re- 
member the evening you refer to very 
well ; the tete-a-tete , as you call it, I have 
good reason for not forgetting. What 


120 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


you heard was a proposal to meet, Mr. 
Gordon and I, we discussed it. Well, if 
it will interest you to know, we did 
meet, but it was for the last time. Don’t 
look incredulous. I ought not to expect 
you to believe it, but it is true, I swear 
it.” 

“ Miss Ellerton you speak very plainly > 
I will follow you, in plain words. 
Harold Gordon is infatuated with you ; 
it has estranged him from his wife and 
he is unsettled and miserable. As a 
friend I endeavored to learn the cause 
of his trouble. I could get nothing from 
him and had almost given up hope of 
knowing. As I have told you by acci- 
dent I overheard your conversation, then 
it was I surmised the truth. Miss Eller- 
ton, do you realize what you are doing ? 
Think of the wife if you do not care for 
yourself! You professed a friendship 
with her, while at the same time you 
were her worst foe. Think ere it is too 
late ! It is to save an innocent life I 
come to you, for the truth has come to 
her. Not from me, God forbid ! I have 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


1 2 r 


never until this moment spoken of it to 
a living soul. Think, Miss Ellerton 
before it is to late ! ” 

A full moment’s silence falls as Ash- 
ley’s earnest voice ceases, then Mildred 
confronts her visitor. Her eyes flash 
ominously, her bosom heaves and she 
appears taller and more stately than 
ever. 

“ Mr. Dayton I have listened to such 
words from you as from no other. You 
have chosen to believe the worst and 
insult me with your slander. I could 
explain away a great deal you think 
condemning but I think I am not 
called upon to do so. Whatever has 
been between Mr. Gordon and me is now 
a thing of the past. If he and his wife 
do not get on well together I am sure it 
is no fault of mine and believe me I am 
not even interested in their affairs.” 

“You forget you, yourself acknowl- 
edged a few moments ago that you and 
he were in the habit of meeting. Miss 
Ellerton, we will close the interview 
which is so disagreeable to both but let 


122 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


me add that if you have any conscience 
or pity you will undo as far as possible 
the great wrong you have done.” 

Mildred Ellerton with great effort 
controls her passion, she cannot trust 
herself to speak, but walking to the 
door, opens it and with an imperious 
gesture, says, “ Go.” 

Without deigning a word he bows 
slightly, finds his hat and coat and 
quickly leaves the house. 

“ There that is done,” he mutters to 
himself, “ and a disagreeable piece of 
work it was. I fancy she will have 
something to think over for awhile at all 
events.” He heaves a great sigh of re- 
lief as he walks down the street. “ She 
is as dangerous as she is beautiful, a 
veritable siren, if I were not such a 
cynical old bachelor I too would have 
been won over long ago. What a mer- 
ciful escape ! Well, we will see what 
will be the outcome of my boldness.” 

“ The siren ” as Dayton styles her, 
when left to heself falls to thinking of 
what has just transpired. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 123 


“ To think that he should have over- 
heard that conversation at the Van Cru- 
gers ’ ! Fortunate for me he is a conser- 
vative man or it would have soon reached 
other ears. But how can Maude Gordon 
know anything?” she muses. “Pshaw, I 
don’t believe she does ! She is not well 
and this man has jumped to the conclu- 
sion after hearing our talk that night. 
O, how tired I am of all this ! O, to get 
away again!” 

For a long time she sits think- 
ing and the result is a deliberate plan 
to inveigle another, well known to the 
reader, and settle elsewhere. True, she 
tells herself, no one can fill Harold’s 
place, but she must live, and they can 
no longer meet with this exposure 
threatening; so her busy brain weaves a 
future through which shine flashes of 
happiness even though there be not a 
lasting ray of sunlight. 






CHAPTER XI. 

A Sister s Tears and a Siren s Triumph . 

It is just twilight and through the in- 
distinct light passersby are hurrying 
homeward. Day is almost done, the 
toiler has laid aside his tools and trudges 
along tired and spiritless. The ever- 
lasting clang of the cable cars rings out 
sharply, the rush and roar of the ele- 
vated trains complete the noisy scene. 
It is one constant clamor; a ceaseless 
din, enough to madden man and beast. 
But seemingly unmindful of this daily 
strife men and women pursue their 
way. All this confusion and hubbub 
has long ago become a second nature, 
proving how we adapt ourselves to 
sight and sound in this nineteenth cen- 
tury. 

From the study window the Rev. 
Charles Summers notes all this. He 
appears to be in a brown study, a sort of 


126 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


bachelor’s reverie. He is lying back in 
his arm chair engaged with nothing but 
his own thoughts. It is seldom the 
young minister is idle but of late this 
fondness to muse and dream has taken 
a strong hold. His mind’s eye does not 
see what is taking place outside, it is far 
away with something more important* 
with beautiful Mildred Ellerton. 

“ I will make her grow to love me t 
By my strong love I will create as great 
a one in return. I have her friend- 
ship, and does not that often ripen into 
love?” He smiles to himself and a 
happy feeling thrills him at thoughts 
of future happiness with her. 

“ After all what is there worth living 
for without love ? It is the one thing 
needful ! ” he goes on musingly. “ I 
could give up all for her, and go 
wherever she wills.” 

Charles Summers had indeed changed. 
As his intimacy with Mildred grew 
everything else seemed to fade before 
this new found happiness. She did 
not resist his appeals for love, and act- 


A SINNER IN ORDERS . 127 


in g upon her resolve to win him and 
live down her love for Harold Gordon, 
she looked upon Charles Summers as a 
suitor. 

But she very carefully kept this from 
him. “ It must come around gradual- 
ly,” she reasoned, “ he will love me all 
the more.” 

So just at this stage of proceedings 
while not knowing her mind, he yet 
had strong hopes of winning her for his 
wife. 

Of a truth he was drifting very near 
to danger. Perhaps realizing his pas- 
sion for her in a way, still the outcome 
was not surmised, or if it were he re- 
fused to listen to reason or see where 
the current led. 

“Why here you are sitting in the 
dark, I did not know you had come in ! 
You must have been here some time for 
I have been sitting in the next room 
for a long while,” and his sister Ellen 
comes over to him and seats herself 
near. 

“ Do you want me to ring for lights ? ” 


9 


128 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

“ O, no Ellen, it is so pleasant here 
just this way. The fact is I am a little 
tired and have been sitting here quietly 
resting. Come nearer dear, I want to 
chat with you. I was wondering where 
you were. There, that is right, sit 
here,” drawing up a low rocker which 
Ellen takes. 

“ What an old chap I am getting to 
be Ellen, thirty-three next month, I de- 
clare I am beginning to think I am 
growing old, a trifle rusty too, do you 
know dear, I am really an old bach- 
elor ! ” 

“Nonsense Charles, you do not look 
over thirty with your smooth face and 
fresh color. I will not even hear your- 
self talk so. And as for rusty, why it 
seems to me the term does not apply at 
all. You must not sit here alone so 
much, it is a bad sign they say.” 

“ O, a bad sign is it, well, I call it a 
good sign, it does a fellow good to think 
sometimes. I am really getting behind 
the times, we must go about more Ellen 
and mingle with the world. Now what 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 129 

-would you say if I were to tell you I am 
tired of being a bachelor.” 

“ Charles, brother what do you mean ? 
and you have never told me before ! I, 
your only sister !” She puts her hand 
over to him and he takes it in his strong 
one and holds it firmly. 

“ I have never told anyone, I am not 
even sure I can win her whom I would 
have for a wife. I am afraid your old 
brother does not appear to advantage as 
a lover, he is so old-fashioned and prim. 
Could you fancy what she is like Ellen ?” 

It is well for her it is almost dark, for 
this news has affected her much. It 
takes all her self command to control 
herself, for she resolves that Charles 
shall not see what it costs her to give 
him up. True, she had expected it 
sometime but kept putting it from her, 
hoping with * sister-like selfishness it 
would not be yet awhile. It is with a 
clear voice she makes answer. 

“ I know she will have to be very nice 
to suit you, but I am so poor at guess- 
ing Charles, do give me a hint.” 


I 3 0 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

“No, I will tell you. You know her 
my dear, and I hope, to love her. Though 
she has not accepted me I hope to 
win her. It is Mildred Ellerton. Why 
what makes you start so Ellen, are you 
so surprised?" 

Ellen has risen to her feet, the shock 
of the news he has just conveyed makes 
her tremble in every limb. 

“Charles, you cannot mean it! Tell 
me it is not true. O, I cannot believe 
it possible ! I did not dream of such a 
thing, tell me it is not true ! ” she re- 
peats going to him and pressing his arm 
convulsively. 

“ Ellen what can be the meaning of 
your words ? Why talk so wildly, why 
should the news affect you so strangely ? 
Surely I have done nothing to create 
such a scene." 

“ O, Charles, Charles," she interrupts 
him wildly, “ if I had only known, could 
only have warned you in time ! If I had 
told you the whole story long ago, all 
this would have been prevented ! " 

“The story," he repeats, looking at 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


131 

her curiously. “ Come, an explanation 
is necessary now. You have said such 
strange things I must hear about it at 
once. Calm yourself Ellen, sit down 
and let me hear what you have to tell 
me.” 

“If I had only known,” she says 
mournfully, “ what sorrow I could have 
saved! Charles prepare yourself for 
some bad news, a bitter disappoint- 
ment ! O, how I dislike being the one 
to have to tell you ! ” 

“ Enough Ellen, do not try to spare 
me, I must know all at once, do not hes- 
itate.” 

With white, set face he turns and lis- 
tens to her story, how Mrs. Gordon 
had come to her that very day when 
he, Charles, had accompanied the 
wronged woman home. Ellen tells all, 
she does not conceal anything, how that 
Harold Gordon had repeated words in 
his sleep which told the wife the shame- 
ful story ; that since then their lives had 
been most unhappy, she never accusing 
but slowly fading with the secret locked 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


in her breast. Charles Summers does 
not once interrupt his sister, he listens 
on to the end. As Ellen’s voice ceases 
he bows his head in his hands and 
groans aloud. 

“ My poor boy,” she whispers, going 
to him and stroking the bowed head. 
“ Try and bear it bravely/’ Then with 
a woman’s tact she leaves him alone 
with his great sorrow and quietly closes 
the study door. 

For many minutes he sits never mov- 
ing, then all at once he rises and paces 
the floor. 

“ O, Mildred, Mildred, to think you,, 
my little flower, could be so base ! God 
help me! What agony I suffer! I 
thought you so pure, so innocent ! O, 
it is cruel, cruel ! To think I must give 
you up, but I love you so ! O, Father in 
heaven, make less bitter this cup !” he 
moans, as great beads of perspiration 
gather on his brow, telling of the phy- 
sical torture he is undergoing. 

Suddenly he stops walking, perhaps 
she can explain. Yes, he will go to her 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


133 


and hear her story, perhaps it is a mis- 
take after all ; it may be the disordered 
fancy of a jealous wife, and he mis- 
judging the one to him most dear. 

Putting his thoughts in action he 
hastily leaves the room, finds his hat 
and coat, and is soon on his way with 
such a white face that those he meets 
stare questioningly at his disordered ap- 
pearance. 

He never knew how he managed to 
reach the house, a confused recollection 
of riding on the elevated train, a hur- 
ried walk and ere he realizes it he 
is in the presence of Mildred. Fort- 
unately he finds her alone, but his wild 
looks so alarm her, she is about to ring 
for assistance. 

“No, do not ring, Mildred, I must 
speak with you, you will soon under- 
stand. Are we quite alone here?” 

“Yes, quite alone, but Mr. Summers, 
Charles, what is the matter, what has 
happened? I never saw you act so 
strangely, are you in trouble?” The 
beautiful face is close to his, as she leans 


i 3 4 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

over him the faint odor of violets sur- 
rounds him and her eyes look deep into 
his. For a full moment the man makes 
no response. She is kneeling in front 
of him and he takes her face between 
his hands. 

“ Mildred, Mildred, how can I tell 
you? Never until now have I known 
what great sorrow is. Look at me ! A 
terrible thing has just come to my ears, 
which you must know at once. Mildred, 
I have heard that you and Harold Gor- 
don have been secret friends, yes, 
worse ! That it has caused great unhap- 
piness to his wife. Answer me, is it 
true? Tell me it is not so.” Closely he 
watches her, white as marble she grows, 
shivers, and ere he realizes it, falls for- 
ward on his breast in a dead faint. 

‘‘Mildred, Mildred, speak to me. O, 
what have I done !” 

Quickly he carries her to a sofa, seizes 
a vial of smelling salts lying near, and 
holds it to her. 

Alarmed at her deadly whiteness he 
is about to ring for help, when she 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


*35 


opens her eyes slowly. He fans her 
-quickly, and ere long she revives. 

“ I shall be all right in a moment/' 
she says, faintly. “No, do not ring. 
Come nearer, Charles, do not leave me; 
tell me you don’t believe them. O, do 
not condemn me unheard !” She places 
her hand on his shoulder pleadingly, 
and he, forgetful of all else but that he 
loves her, presses her to him closely. 

“ Darling, no one can change my love 
for you, tell me what you will, I would 
forgive all if I knew that you cared for 
me. Tell me now, while I hold you 
close to me.” 

“O, Charles, I have done wrong, 
wrong, I know it. I never knew Har- 
old Gordon until after his marriage. He 
infatuated me. We met many times, 
but there has been no wrong beyond 
that, I swear it. He grew madly in love 
with me. I determined to stop meeting 
him, and have not even seen him for 
months. Do you believe me, Charles ?” 

She looks up at him earnestly, and he 
thinks she is speaking the truth. Gently 


136 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

he withdraws her arms from him and 
she sees that he is suffering from the 
truth of the story. He had thought her 
so pure and innocent, and now the truth 
is known. 

“ Mildred, you have done wrong, have 
committed a great sin by allowing this 
to go on. O, I was so sure you would 
prove it false !” He buries his face in 
his hands and moans. Again she comes 
to him. 

“Now has my sin reaped its reward. 
You hate me, while I have grown to- 
love you so !” As Mildred makes this 
confession she touches his hand. He 
holds it for a moment and again she is 
being pressed to his bosom. 

“O, Mildred, I know I am wrong to 
forgive you, but I love you! It has 
made me a coward. I am no longer fit 
to be a disciple of Christ. I forget every- 
thing when you say you love me. Yes, I 
will give all up for you.” 

It is near midnight when he leaves 
her. They have made their plans. He 
will give up his charge. They will go* 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 137 


far away, where no one knows them or 
will hear of the past. He knows he is- 
doing wrong, but it is too late now, the 
step is taken, and with Mildred he can 
begin a new life, and perhaps in the 
future atone for what wrong she has 
done, for he knows that ere long all will 
know of Harold Gordon’s past and that 
Mildred Ellerton’s name will be on 
many tongues. The only way to possess 
her is to go quietly and leave forever 
these scenes, proving that though he 
knows her past, love is so great that it 
forgives all, overlooks her sin and is 
willing to forget everything. 


CHAPTER XII. 

A Confidence, and Two Women in Sorrow*. 

In the meantime Harold Gordon and 
his wife are drifting further and further 
apart. As yet she has not told him of 
what she heard that memorable night. 
He thinks her coldness to him the re- 
sult of ill health and tries at first to be 
very considerate, but she accepts his 
advances with such bad grace, he soon 
deters from trying to bring about a 
change. Once he had gone to her and 
asked her what was the matter, why his 
presence seemed to annoy her, but she 
burst into such a storm of tears that he 
left her wondering just what ailed her, 
for surely she must be much out of 
sorts. 

So time passed on and the marked 
coldness between husband and wife be- 
gan to be talked about, others noticin g 
it and commenting upon it to their 
friends. 


140 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Many times Maude Gordon had de- 
termined to face her husband with the 
story and learn from him what explana- 
tion he would have to make, but each 
time when the moment came she de- 
ferred it to a more convenient season, 
so she would tell herself. Her inten- 
tion was to learn if possible more of 
the truth. 

Some women would have gone to 
Miss Ellerton and demanded an expla- 
nation but not so with Maude. She 
was of a timid nature and could not 
bring herself to face her adversary 
without more proof. So she decided to 
watch and wait. 

Many a time when Harold was una- 
ware of it his wife was following him, but 
not once did she track him to the girl. 
But one day an old acquaintance hap- 
pened to mention that she had seen 
Miss Ellerton and Mr. Gordon walking 
together. 

“ They seem very good friends, how 
nice it is, for Miss Ellerton is a warm 
friend of yours.” Mrs. Gordon made 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 141 


no answer and rose hastily to hide the 
sense of indignation the visitor had un- 
consciously caused. 

One morning a restless mood took 
her to see Ellen Summers. She found 
that lady pale and hollow-eyed and as 
much unlike the bright sunny Ellen of 
old as possible. 

“ Why have you kept away so long ? ” 
Maude says. “You have certainly de- 
serted me, I have come to you for an 
explanation.” 

Ellen does not speak at once, when 
she does it is with a voice filled with 
emotion. 

“My dear, I have had my troubles 
too, and I did not want to make your’s 
heavier by sharing my sorrow. I thought 
I had better bear mine alone.” 

“Ellen, how can you talk so? Were 
you not the first to whom I came with 
mine, and did you not, in all ways, en- 
deavor to lessen my burden ? I call this 
a poor return for my confidence.” 

“ Listen, dear,” the other woman goes 
on, “ I must tell you all. I had planned 


142 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


to see you, but each day kept putting it 
off. Little did I imagine the cause of 
your trouble would come to me as it 
has. Come near me, so we can bear 
this together.” 

The younger woman goes to Ellen, 
and with clasped hands the whole story 
is told. Mrs. Gordon says not a word 
until all has been said. Tears are fall- 
ing down Ellen’s pale cheeks, and in a 
moment she is sobbing on Maude’s 
breast. 

“ Ever since that night when he told 
me, he has acted so strangely,” she says, 
brokenly. “ He is a changed man, and I 
know he is with that woman constantly. 
She seems to have cast a spell over him. 
O, how will it end ?” 

“ O, why are such women allowed to 
embitter innocent hearts and cause 
shipwrecks of human lives! Do you 
know, Ellen,” Maude goes on earnestly, 
“ we must take it upon ourselves to act 
now. Too long I have suffered on in 
silence. Now I will speak, and tell Har- 
old all. Surely, he will see her in her 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


true light now. Her beauty and false 
winning ways have fascinated both. It 
is not love, only a passion which has so 
taken possession that it completely over- 
throws all sense of right and wrong. 

“ God grant that Charles may find out 
ere it is too late,” says Ellen. “ I have 
reasoned with him, pleaded with him, 
but in vain, and now he has commanded 
me to say no more, so there seems noth- 
ing I can do. I thought at first of see- 
ing Mildred Ellerton and entreating 
her to give him up, but she is proud 
and doubtless it might bring about a 
great unhappiness.” 

And thus these two women, both 
crushed with the same sorrow, mourn- 
fully talk of the disgrace. Being gentle 
of heart and unused to brushing against 
sin in the world, they shrink from pub- 
licity. It is easy to plan to expose and 
teach a lesson, but with some, the 
notoriety incurred is so distasteful, they 
suffer on in silence rather than have 
the world know their story. This fact 

keeps many a woman to-day under the 
10 


1 44 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


burden of sin and shame of a husband’s 
wrong-doing, suffering on in silence. 
Greater heroes than these the world 
knows not. They are uncrowned 
in this world and pass away un- 
known, yet, in the Great Beyond a seat 
is waiting for the noble women who 
suffer, bear and forbear in this world of 
deceit and shame, higher than that 
gained by the laurel crowned. 

** O weary heart, O slumbering eyes, 

O drooping souls whose destinies 
Are fraught with fear and pain, 

Ye shall be loved again.” 


CHAPTER XIII. 

The Van Cruger Ball and a Meeting of 
Enemies. 

The night is brilliant with stars shin- 
ing out like “ golden islands fast 
moored in God’s infinite deep.” The 
air is keen, cold and frosty and the 
strong winds whistle from off the bay 
with an intensity born of a winter night. 

Close carriages are rolling hither and 
thither ; pedestrians hurry along shiv- 
ering with cold, anxious to reach warm 
fires and cheery rooms. The city is 
ablaze with lights and to judge from 
the crowds and confusion, all the world 
seems bent on one expedition or another. 

Many a carriage is rolling up Fifth 
Avenue towards the Van Cruger man- 
sion, for to-night they give one of the 
largest balls of the season. The superb 
rooms are a triumph of the decorator’s 
art, and the most skillful arrangements 


1 46 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


of flowers and drapery are apparent 
everywhere. Electroliers make brilliant 
the scene, and the flashing jewels and 
beautiful costumes enhance the charms 
of belles and matrons. The Van Crugers 
can well afford to feel proud to-night, 
for they have the satisfaction of know- 
ing that nothing has been left undone 
to make a complete triumph. 

Among the guests are many familiar 
faces. Miss Ellerton is a dream of 
loveliness in white. There is no trace 
of trouble on her fair, flower-like face, 
and here, as everywhere, she receives 
marked attention. Young Mr. Van 
Cruger is evidently deeply smitten and 
hovers near as much as possible. There 
is a gay abandon in Mildred’s manner 
to-night. She has determined to throw 
all anxiety to the winds, for very soon 
she will be giving up this gay life and 
take on new scenes. As Ashley Dayton 
watches her unobserved he cannot but 
concede her beauty, a loveliness of face 
and form beyond compare, but the 
knowledge of her history, of her deceit 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 147 


and wrong-, inspires a feeling of loath- 
ing, and he wonders how the woman 
can show a face so happy with a knowl- 
edge of sin so inherent. 

Miss Van Crnger, seeing him alone, 
goes to him. 

“ So I have found you at last ! I have 
been wondering if you had left at once, 
for I entirely lost sight of you.” 

“No, I have just been with friends 
and am looking for the Gordons.” 

“ They are here and I am glad, for 
Mrs. Gordon has been out so little this 
winter. It is sad to see her so unlike 
herself. I hear her physician has advised 
her to try the South for the winter. 

Miss Ellerton passing near at that 
moment on the arm of young Van 
Cruger, his sister exclaims : 

“ Is she not beautiful ? I think she is 
the handsomest woman in the room.” 

“Yes, a beautiful woman ! ” says Day- 
ton indifferently. Miss Van Cruger 
divines at once that the beauty has 
made no impression as he seems to 
avoid her. 


1 48 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Later Ashley is surprised to see the 
couple approach him and Van Cruger 
says : 

“ Mr. Dayton, Miss Ellerton has asked 
me to bring her to you and now that 
you are found I will leave you to- 
gether.” Bowing he leaves them. 

Neither speak for a moment then the 
woman says: “Mr. Dayton, no doubt 
you are surprised at my seeking you 
after what has happened, but I saw you 
here and determined to speak with you. 
Come in here,” she adds, turning to a 
small ante-room, “we will not be dis- 
turbed for a few minutes.” 

Wondering what she has to communi- 
cate he follows and in a moment she 
begins. 

“Mr. Dayton, after what passed be- 
tween us the other evening I know of 
course your feelings for me are those 
of contempt. Under the excitement of 
the moment I then said things that 
were better left unsaid.” She pauses 
and looks in the man’s face question- 
ingly, trying to read his thoughts. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


149 


Dayton for the second is under the 
influence of her beauty ; dislike her as 
he may, for a brief second she fasci- 
nates him. Then the thought of the 
misery she has caused comes and the 
spell is broken. He replies : 

“ Pardon me, Miss Ellerton, if I sug- 
gest our interview be brief, pray 
continue.” The man eyes her coldly, 
unmoved and she, knowing her powers 
of fascination have failed, changes her 
manner. Instead of the smile comes a 
look of hate, a sneer covers her mouth 
and in a low tense voice she speaks : 

“ Do not fear, I will be brief. I know 
not whether you have spoken of our 
interview to others, but if you have 
delayed I would advise you, for your 
friends’ sake, for whom you show so 
much devotion, (she says the last words 
sarcastically), to say nothing. The 
events of a few days will render it en- 
tirely unnecessary. You will, of course, 
act upon this advice as you see fit. I 
believe that is all.” 

“ I will not commit myself to any 


150 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


promise,” Ashley Dayton makes an- 
swer. “ Of course, if my friends can be 
saved a disgraceful exposure, I will 
await developments.” 

“ Thank you, Mr. Dayton, you have 
answered as I expected. Now will you 
please conduct me to the ball room? ” 

It is with perplexed thoughts he leaves 
her, and the question as to what she 
proposes doing is uppermost in his mind 
for the remainder of the evening. 

As yet Maude Gordon has said noth- 
ing to her husband. Each time she had 
planned for an explanation something 
had intervened, and dread of the inter- 
view persuaded her to put off the fatal 
day. It was only at the personal re- 
quest of the Van Crugers she had con- 
sented to attend their ball. In the old 
days the families had been warm friends 
and it was the memory of this that won 
Maude’s promise to be there. Harold 
was glad that his wife accepted. It gave 
promise of improvement. Perhaps now 
her interest in life would revive and she 
would gradually grow like her old self. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


151 

In these days Harold was begin- 
ning to see the folly of his past, but 
even yet his love for Mildred did not 
wane. The thought that his wife had 
any knowledge of the secret never once 
came to him, and little did he dream of 
the true state of affairs. Still his pru- 
dence was more on the alert, and he 
argued with himself that much as he 
loved Mildred it was better far for them 
to act as they had done. 

To-night she seemed to avoid him, 
and as his wife showed no disposition to 
meet with Mildred he said nothing, only 
his glances often rested on her proudly. 
Her beauty thrilled him strangely, but 
he was determined to acquit himself 
honestly, so was not seen at her side the 
whole evening. 

Maude watches him cautiously. No, 
she does not see them together, could 
her suspicions be unfounded after all ? 
But the words she had heard that fatal 
night are burned in her brain. There 
is no other Mildred and her ears had 
not deceived her. The weary pain at 


152 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

her heart keeps on for her rival, the 
one who in love stands in her place, is 
here, fascinating many with her won- 
drous beauty. 

And so the evening wears on, smiling 
faces and gay laughter are seen and 
heard on all sides. Bewitching cos- 
tumes charm the eye, priceless jewels 
rise and fall on bare breasts in all the 
glory of decollete . There is much of 
nature on show and much of the arti- 
ficial. All these sights and scenes go 
to make up the splendor of fashion. 

“Society is now one foolish horde, 

Formed of two mighty tribes, the bores and bored .’ r 

The murmur of splashing fountains,, 
the scent of dying roses and the plain- 
tive strains of Lander’s orchestra fill 
with intoxication. To-night many 
a heart beats quicker as fair partners 
encircle each other in the seductive 
waltz. The drooping palms witness 
more than one lover swearing eternal 
devotion. New vows are taken and 
life seems an idylic one, a dream of 
bliss, of rare happiness. But, ah, how 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 153 


soon will come the awakening, when 
“ the lights all fled, the garlands, dead.” 
And how many a man will awake in 
the morn to face the dreary round of 
every-day toil with a discontented heart 
and a vague feeling that “ he was fool 
enough to go and do it,” in other words 
engage himself while in the dream of 
Arcadia. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

A Sermon, and a Sinner in Orders the 
Preacher. 

It is Sunday morning, and the hour 
of worship. Within St. Joseph’s, the 
Episcopal church patronized by wealth 
and fashion, the organ is rolling out 
beautiful rich strains of music. The 
congregation streaming in, the noise of 
moving carriages, the rustle of rich 
silks and shining satins, the aristocratic 
faces, all go to make up the scene pre- 
paratory to service. 

Many have noticed the deadly white- 
ness of the young divine and his sur- 
plice tends to make him appear even 
more ghastly. 

Surely he is ill, they think, as he walks 
uncertain and appears dizzy. But by 
an effort the Rector overcomes his 
weakness and ascends the pulpit. In a 
firm voice he gives out the text : 


iS6 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’ 
Matthew, seventh chapter and first 
verse.” 

Then begins his sermon. 

“In this world of to-day, f rough t as 
it is with temptation and peril on every 
side, where eager tempters beckon us 
on to sin, it is a difficult task to con- 
demn another for sinning. Circum- 
stances in life, incident and environ- 
ment all tend to excuse one. We pride 
ourselves upon resisting a temptation 
we know nothing of except in theory 
and when our neighbor commits that 
sin how loud we are in our condemna- 
tion ! Do you suppose he who has re- 
sisted temptation and finally fallen is 
credited with no love from God ? I tell 
you we judge too harshly. 

Listen ! Not long ago a young man 
came to me, and told me his story. He 
had been carefully reared by honest but 
indulgent parents. At that period in life 
when dreams are all roseate and life 
sparkling with sunshine, temptation 


came. 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“ Where lives the man that has not tried 
How mirth can into folly glide 
And folly into sin.” 

Companions unworthy of him had 
wormed themselves into his confidence 
and on the downward road he drifted, 
but not without sudden checkings when 
his good angel bade him halt and con- 
sider. He is now striving to resist 
evil but again and again he falls. With 
tears in his blue eyes he has prom- 
ised to try again. Do you not think 
God is crediting him in these struggles 
for the right ? Still some here would 
judge him worthless, too weak to ever 
gain the mastery and say “ what is the 
use.” “Judge not that ye be not judged.” 

The voice of the speaker pauses, it is a 
trifle husky as he goes on again. 

“Hark, I hear the voice of one crying 
in the wilderness, the desert sands are 
burning the sandled feet, the hot air 
breathes of fever and impurity ; there 
come troops of dusty, weary pilgrims to 
listen to that voice. ‘ Lo, sin is a disease, 
a dread pestilence that runs riot over all 
the earth ; it sweeps over the land cut- 


158 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


ting down young and old. Who can 
resist its seductive wiles, its cunning 
and pleasantry ? In every form it comes ; 
in the guise of help, of favor. Shut 
your eyes, resist its advances ,’ 4 Get thee 
behind me, Satan,’ — but no, we grasp 
the hand, bring it close to us, shut our 
ears to the pleadings of the still, small 
voice. How pleasant at first these paths 
of sin. There are beds of roses, singing 
brooks and murmuring music. We 
revel in sensuality ; false faces, so fair 
and siren-like beckon us; snowy arms 
wind themselves around us and we rest 
for the moment in tender embrace. Un- 
mindful of the future we hug the fangs 
of the dread serpent to us, determined 
not to see the poison, the ruin and 
despair lying so near, so near. Yes, sin 
is everywhere rampant, stalking the 
world with hot flames, withering, with 
its breath, purity and innocence. Even 
in secret it holds strong sway. In all 
walks of life high and lowly, in all call- 
ings, trades and occupations. We trem- 
ble, for who is to gain the mastery, when 


A SINNER IN ORDERS ’. 159 


vice is abroad over all the land. O, 
how long, how long, must we be in its 
embrace! We strive to break its fet- 
ters. Though they are silken they resist 
our best efforts ; we are weary with the 
struggle and fall, well nigh faint by the 
wayside. But who is the Traveler 
journeying by ? He stops, bends over 
and raises us gently, pityingly. In vain 
we say all is over, there is no use, go 
your way else you too fall. But no, 
tenderly He binds our wounds, pouring 
in oil and wine, sympathizing with our 
affliction and by and by leads us on and 
on to a higher rest. Who is this that 
has been the good Samaritan ? It is the 
one perfect man, the Great Physician. 
Can you not tell from His benign and 
and holy countenance? He bears us 
on, O so tenderly! We cling to Him 
with eagerness, with such a world of 
remorse for ever having strayed away 
from His side. Like tired children we 
creep to His bosom, rest our head on 
the dear breast throbbing so with true 
love. Softly He bends His head until 
11 


160 A SINNER IN ORDERS . 


we feel its touch and here, close in His 
embrace, we feel contrition, repentance 
and forgiveness. 

“ Alas, though, with some of us the 
end is not yet. There are bitter tears to 
be shed, fond hearts to ache, a weary 
path to tread ere we listen. Even then 
how many refuse His pity ! And with 
a face full of sorrow the Divine Master 
passes on. Can we ever forget that 
face we spurned, that we refused to re- 
spond to ? O, no, no, come back, come 
back, we need Thy help ! ‘ Pass me 

not, O gentle Saviour, hear my 
humble cry ! ’ But no voice answers 
our cry. Alone, forsaken, deserted ! The 
hot sands burn, the air is stifling, O, for 
a cooling draught ! Where are the gilded 
tempters now, the siren voices ! Gone, 
gone to seek fresh victims, back to the 
world of pleasure! O, that we could 
warn the unsuspecting, could tell them 
that to follow sin is ruin, ends in eter- 
nal death and everlasting despair ! 
Will you not warn them to flee from 
the wrath to come ? Have pity, pity ! 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 161 


Grant them a respite! But no voice 
answers our cry, we await with fear 
and trembling the new comers. O, 
that Christ would come again, would 
we let Him pass ? No, no, with dread 
intensity we listen for His footsteps. 
‘ O, do not pass me by ! ’ ” 

Again the minister pauses, takes his 
handkerchief and wipes his brow. The 
people wait expectantly, such words 
have thrilled them and there is a hush 
over all. Then the voice again breaks 
the silence. 

“ Who is there here who would act 
the good Samaritan? Can you recall 
when you have raised your hand to lift 
a fallen sinner ? Are we so confident 
of our own righteousness that we can- 
not fall some time? I ask who is to 
raise the sinner if his fellowmen pass 
by in scorn, even shrinking away lest 
their garments brush him as they hurry 
past? Oh, the day of reckoning is com- 
ing when we shall be asked what have 
we done to raise a fallen brother ! What 
will you say ? ” He raises his arm sud- 


1 62 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


denly and points, “ you who by a kind 
word, a helping hand might have helped 
save a dying soul, are you so sure of not 
falling ? Go back over the past and re- 
call your life, is there no cause for re- 
gret, no stain of sin that you have 
glossed over with excuses? Think of 
these divine words ‘ Let him who is 
without sin cast the first stone.’ Pause 
before you condemn, this applies to you, 
to me.” 

The speaker’s voice trembles percep- 
tibly but with an effort he continues- 
“ How weak we are in the face of tem- 
tation. At first we resist with every 
show of confidence, but sin is subtle and 
seductive. Again the tempter comes, 
this time we turn away hesitatingly*. 
Another time, God help us, the path is 
so pleasant and broad and the other 
seems so narrow! We will go a few 
paces, surely we can return unharmed. 
Just a glimpse of this temptation, so we. 
venture. There are green trees sway- 
ing under perfumed winds, blue sky, oh 
so smiling, and the sunbeams dance in 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 163 

and out, the leaves murmuring ‘ come, 
follow us.’ We are fascinated at the 
vista, stretching ahead, we hesitate. 
Our good angel pleads for a hearing, 
‘ Pause, pause, while there is yet time, 
it is not yet too late/ But no ! One more 
step, the current catches us, we are 
whirled down the sea of pleasure, blind 
to the rocks and eddies, down, down, 
into the fathomless abyss, to shipwreck 
and despair.” 

Once more the speaker pauses, never 
has he appeared so earnest. The sen- 
tences come out with startling distinct- 
ness and he holds the congregation 
closely attentive to every word. Again 
he thrills them with the loftiness of the 
holy cause, recalling with touching ten- 
derness the careful training of her child 
by the Christian mother ; of temptation 
following; of a fall and then sin and 
death. But with what telling force he 
dwells upon the strength of tempta- 
tion ! How many, if not all, sin in 
various ways and the world judges these 
as leading holy and righteous lives ! 


1 64 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

“O, my friends, my brethren,” he 
goes on, “ be not so ready to condemn,, 
exercise more charity ! Think, even 
Christ, in His anguish that night in the 
Garden of Gethsemane, prayed that the 
cup be made less bitter, He felt well 
nigh unable to cope with the suffering. 
Since the fall of man, we are filled with 
sin, it breaks out at every turn. I say 
have pity, pity on the erring sinner, 
raise the fallen, remember our own sin- 
fulness and pray for strength to resist 
the devil and his army of tempters. O, 
Heavenly Father grant us Thy strength 
to purify, give us Thy might to help 
save dying souls ! ” 

It is with great difficulty he finishes 
the service, and as soon as possible goes 
to his home, responding vaguely ta 
those who have remained to congratu- 
late him upon the eloquence of his ap- 
peal, little thinking they were never ta 
hear him again. 


CHAPTER XV. 

A Strange Marriage and the End of a 
Misspent Life. 

A few days later the following ap- 
peared in the list of marriage notices 
in several of the New York papers : 

“ Ellerton — Summers. — On the 29th inst.,. 
by the Rev. C. L. Schenck, at the residence of 
the bride’s mother, Miss Mildred Ellerton to 
the Rev. Charles Summers.” 

The news was received by the public 
with the greatest surprise. Society was 
on the qni vive> there had been no cards, 
no previous announcement, no thought 
of such a step. Various rumors went 
the rounds with no foundation of truth. 
So much had been predicted for the 
favorite belle, the beautiful Miss Eller- 
ton, who had rejected the most eligible 
men about town, that now she had 
married suddenly in the most unex- 
pected way, society could not quite for- 
give. 


1 66 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


Immediately after the ceremony the 
bride and groom left home, no one 
seemed to know whither. Shortly after, 
Mrs. Ellerton closed her town house 
and went abroad with a relative for an 
indefinite time. 

The morning that the notice appeared 
in the papers Harold Gordon had left 
his home early for his office. Some busi- 
ness delayed the opening of his mail 
and it was near noon before the oppor- 
tunity came to review the morning 
papers. By a strange fatality the first 
thing his eyes rested on was the head 
line, Ellerton-Summers. In an instant 
his eyes ran over the notice. Dazed, 
stunned, he could not realize for a mo- 
ment, then the truth came with a sick- 
ening shock. 

“ My God, what has Mildred done ! It 
can’t be, there must be some mistake ! 
O, I am going mad ! ” he cries, rising 
and pacing the floor. “ Lost, lost to me, 
and I never knew, never suspected it ! 
She loved me, I know it ! Has she not 
told me so over and over again ? O, 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 167 

why did I ever consent to give her up ! 
I have been miserable ever since. Only 
yesterday I determined to see her and 
renew our love as in the dear old days.” 
All this he moans as he paces the floor. 

“ There may be some mistake, some 
trick,” he thinks. “Yes, I will go up 
and find out.” 

Just as he is about to step into the 
street the door opens, and Ashley Day- 
ton, pale from excitement, enters. 

“ Harold, I am just in time, I was so 
afraid you would be gone. Why man, 
don’t look at me so, don’t you know me, 
Dayton, your old chum ? ” Ashley grasps 
the other’s hand and leads him to a seat. 
He happens to glance on the table and 
sees the paper with the notice, and at 
once divines the cause of Harold’s be- 
wilderment. 

“ Harold, old fellow, try and bear it 
like a man. I hurried here hoping to 
see you before you discovered it, but I 
see I am too late.” 

“You know all!” exclaims Gordon, 
looking up questioningly. 


1 68 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


“ Yes, I have known for a long time 
that you loved her. I was afraid to 
speak, though I have done my best to 
help you, to shield you from trouble.” 

“ O, I love her so ! My God, I never 
even knew she cared for this man,” he 
goes on brokenly. “ And now to think 
she is another’s, I shall go mad, mad! ” 
Again he springs to his feet and paces 
the floor. 

“ Harold, calm yourself, think of your 
wife. She is the one who has a right to 
you, no other. I have wanted so often 
to warn you of this ! Think man, you 
are married ! Do not let the world 
know this. You must get used to it. It 
is the best thing that could have hap- 
pened, it will open your eyes to the 
folly, to the sin of loving another wo- 
man.” 

“You cannot realize how I feel, you 
do not know. What do I care now for 
anybody, anything! ” Dayton rises and 
goes to him. 

“ Harold,” he says sternly, “ enough 
of this, you must listen to reason. You 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 169 


are talking like a mad man, control 
yourself and listen to what I have to 
tell you. Your wife, who loves you so 
dearly, is she not to be considered? 
Have you ever had an idea what has 
changed her so, what has wrought the 
havoc in her health and spirits? No* 
I see you are not aware or you could 
not have acted so indifferently. Your 
wife knows of your past intimacy with 
Mildred Ellerton. It is that knowledge 
which has changed her from a bright, 
loving girl to a broken hearted, weak 
woman.” 

“ Dayton, how dare you say such 
things, I do not believe it. Who has 
informed her, have you been spying 
around yourself ? ” 

“Harold, such an insinuation is un- 
worthy of' you ! In your right mind 
you would never insult me, you are not 
responsible for your words.” 

“ Forgive me, Ashley ! O, I am really 
mad I think ! This that you have said 
only brings another sin to my door. 
Maude has never told me. I never 


170 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 

dreamed I was adding to her misery. 
What a despicable wretch I have been ! 
But I am paying the penalty. Leave 
me, Dayton, I must be alone to think it 
out. When I grow calmer come to me, 
but now I wish to be alone.” 

“ I dislike leaving you old man in 
your trouble, but if you wish it I will. 
Try and bear this bravely, you must 
have known it was bound to happen 
sometime. Keep up a brave heart, tell 
your wife all, ask her forgiveness. Be- 
lieve me you will feel wonderfully bet- 
ter after that, and then start the future 
with a clear conscience. Good-bye, old 
fellow.” Dayton wrings both his 
friend’s hands, and leaves him to him- 
self. 

Harold, alone, for some, time does 
not move, his brain is in a whirl. The 
knowledge that Maude knows all, has 
fallen a heavy weight upon him. He 
never realized before the enormity of 
his sin and before it he feels unable to 
face the world. At such a moment, 
.surrounded on all sides, sin and shame 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 171 


struggle and gain the mastery, there 
seems no loophole of escape. Death ap- 
pears welcome. Ah, the grave! At 
rest from this gnawing conscience, away 
from the prying eyes of the world, the 
thought holds him. Mechanically he 
opens a private drawer, takes out a 
small shining revolver. So near eter- 
nity ! He has only to press the trigger 
and then forgetfulness, an end of 
earthly sorrow. But suicide, he had 
always had a horror of that word, even 
went so far as never to read the details 
of such a crime. Now he knows 
what it is to feel that death is prefera- 
ble to living. Can he face the staring 
multitudes, the questioning glances of 
the curious crowd? No, a thousand 
times no, better death, welcome death ! 
Then the thought of his wife flashes 
over him, she who had loved him so 
but now is so changed. Heavens, he is 
the author of all her trouble ! He has 
seen her suffer and grow weaker day 
by day with never a condemning word. 
How can he look her in the face again 


172 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


knowing lie has wrecked her fair young 
life. 

“No, God help me,” he cries. “I 
could not stand it, I could not stand it.” 

For a full moment he sits rigid, never 
moving a muscle, then he suddenly 
rises, he has decided. Cautiously he goes 
to the door, listens breathlessly. No one 
is near, it is the hour of noon and all 
are off to their luncheon. Deliberately 
he pens a last farewell to his wife, the 
poor girl whom he has wronged so 
greatly : 

“ My dear, dear wife: It is with head 
bowed with shame I write you . How you 
must despise me for my perfidy! It has 
just come to me that you know the past. I 
cannot mention it, it is too black to write. 
You have suffered on all these months and 
said nothing, have gradually faded and 
lost your yonth and strength all on account 
of my duplicity, my unfaithfulness . You 
have done all this and said never a word 
to let me know. 0, I was blind ! I can 
never atone to you , so it is better I leave 
you . I could not look upon your sad patient 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 173 


face knowing I had caused so much sor- 
row. Maude , dear Maude , think of me at 
my best as I once was , try and forget all 
this miserable folly. You have parents 
who love you , I consign you to them, I am 
not worthy to ever again look upon you or 
crave forgiveness. My sin has been too 
great. But now it has fallen upon me, re- 
morse is terrible, I cannot stand it. Good- 
bye dear, dear wife, may God bless you and 
comfort you, may He fold you close from 
harm . Pray for my soul. Harold 

He folds the letter, addresses it in his 
well-known bold hand, then, once more 
raises the weapon, places it to his heart, 
a sharp report, and falls forward, dead ! 


CHAPTER XVI. 

The Closing Scene and the Expiation . 

The story is soon told now. Several 
years have elapsed, bringing their daily 
portions of weal and woe, of success and 
failure, but the world goes on just the 
same. There is no change, hearts are 
broken and trampled on, sin is flaunt- 
ing her scarlet banner, so on to the end 
vice and virtue each struggling for the 
mastery, then comes the grave. 

In a quiet country home Ellen Sum- 
mers pursues a peaceful life. Her broth- 
er’s folly has aged her much, but with 
kind friends time has softened the blow 
and she lives for others and not for her- 
self. 

The widow of Harold Gordon for a 
long time lingered between life and 
death, her husband’s tragic death almost 
broke the delicate thread of existence, 
but loving parents tenderly nursed her 


176 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 


back to life, and as time passed on slie 
took up life’s burdens again one by one, 
a sad, pale faced woman. Ashley Day- 
ton had through all her adversities 
proved a faithful friend. He is patiently 
waiting to claim the weary heart as his 
own, for love of her has grown strong 
within him. It is not improbable she 
will turn to him, thankful to rest in his 
glad arms, protected from a world which 
holds so many bitter enemies. To them 
be happiness, a glorious future of sun. 
light flooding out the sorrowing past so 
pregnant with trouble. 

And of the pair who left so suddenly 
after their marriage ? For many months 
they traveled restlessly from place to 
place, but found not contentment nor 
happiness. Mildred, with her love for 
gayety and the world, was ill suited for 
the sober divine. Disillusionment soon 
came. Both recognized the mistake 
they had made. Mildred never got over 
the shock of Harold Gordon’s death. It 
seemed a judgment to her, this prey of 
melancholy. She grew careless and in- 


A SINNER IN ORDERS. 177 


different of her health, contracted the 
dread disease, consumption. 

Tenderly the husband watched over 
his wife, but her life was not to be 
spared, and one day when the cold 
winds of winter were moaning drearily 
she passed away, leaving a mourning 
husband in the world. 

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day.” 

He decided to accept a mission in dis- 
tant India, away from the scenes of sin 
and sorrow, and there laboring and 
praying among the natives, he atones 
for his folly, hoping for a modest re- 
ward when he shall be called to face his 
Maker. 

“We see but dimly through the mists and vapors 

Among these earthly damps, 

What seem to us but sad funereal tapers 

May be heaven’s distant lamps.” 

Though he is a sinner in orders, 
Charles Summers is striving by daily 
prayer and good deeds to make amends 
for the past. 

Human nature is weak. We are all 
tempted to sin and if our brother falls, 
lend a helping hand, extend kindly 


178 A SINNER IN ORDERS. 




sympathy, remembering that He, our 
Saviour, when here was wondrous kind, 
wondrous gentle and ever forgiving. 



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